Mr. Rice removed from Charlotte to the capital of the State in May, 1812. Richmond was then in the transition state, passing from the village-like separation of its parts to the compactness of a city. Shockoe hill was slowly descending, and Rockets coming up, to meet at the market. Main street was seeking the removal of the precipitous bank, that limited her extension beyond where the American House now stands. Council Chamber hill was condemned to be dissevered; and the ravines and small pines on Capitol hill, and the famous “frog pond” on Shockoe were seeing their last days. Trade and traffic were carried on at Rockets, around the market, and between the Dock and the Basin, then in a state of formation.

The merchants and shipmasters and mechanics lived in and around the places of business; and around them that mixed company that assembles at places of trade.- The law, and politics, and fashion, and wealth, were seated on the eminences overlooking the river, circling round from Gamble’s hill, along Shochoe, Council Chamber and Church, to Richmond hill, that once aspired to be the site of the city. Manchester, on the hills, on the southern side of the river, in trade, and wealth, and enterprise, rivalled the city on the northern banks, with expectation to form an essential part of the great emporium around the falls. Richmond had become the capital of the State simply from the advantage of her position. At the time of the selection, many villages along the rivers, below the head of tide water, now in ruins, were her superior in traffic. Wealth and fashion followed politics, and clustered around the new capital, as they had done, from the infancy of the Ancient Dominion, at Williamsburg; and the trade of the country, following the cur-, rent of feeling, forsook the ancient marts and seated itself at the falls of the James. The enterprise of the merchant, foremost in laying the foundation of cities, came here last, and dug away the hills, filled the ravines, paved the streets, bridged the waters ; and finally, stretching out into the plains and building princely palaces beyond the hills, encircled the fashion and splendor of the Old Dominion, and made the city one in refinement and enterprise. The residences of merchants and shipmasters in 1812, became, in forty years, the warehouses of the increasing city.

Some of these enterprising men had been trained religiously in Ireland and Scotland, and some had grown up under the successors of Davies. In their early engagements in Richmond, in the strife for competence and for wealth, the obligations and blessings of the gospel were in a measure forgotten. With prosperity in business, however, the thoughts of other days and other things came up in sad remembrance. The claims of religion, never denied, were now acknowledged, and men began to think of preparation for a better world. The thoughts of many hearts slowly found expression ; and men that could not frame their words to say to their neighbors — “Unless a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God,” could yet say, we ought to have a place of public worship, and a regular minister of the gospel near our families and in the midst of our business. ;

The Synod of Virginia, from time to time, sent missionaries to the scattered Presbyterian families in the counties near the city, and these sometimes visited the city and preached. The Rev. John D. Blair, nephew of the famous Samuel Blair, of Fogg’s Manor, was pastor of the church in Hanover, and residing on Shockoe hill, preached once in two weeks in the capitol, and sustained himself by teaching a classical school. Mr. Buchannan, an Episcopal clergyman, occupied the capital the other Sabbaths in alternation. Those on the hills, inclined to Presbyteriaiiism or Episcopacy, attended worship under the ministrations of these two gentlemen. There was no Presbyterian church building in the city, and the Episcopal church on Richmond hill was seldom occupied. The audiences at the capitol were not large; few came up from the business parts of the city; the fashion and the trade had not begun to go to the house of God together.

The Rev. Drury Lacy, on a visit to the city of a few days, made a deep impression by his powerful sermons. His heart was moved in him, like Paul’s at Athens. The people asked for a minister, and Mr. Lacy directed their attention to Mr. Rice. In 1811, Jesse H. Turner, a missionary of Synod, son of James Turner, of Bedford, preached in the city about three months, with great acceptation. The people in Petersburg, in a similar condition with those in the business part of Richmond, were greatly interested in a son of Mr. Graham, of Lexington, and mourned his early death. Clement Read and his son-in-law, Charles Kennon, had made circuits through the counties of Lunenberg, Amelia, Nottaway, Dinwiddie, and Brunswick, preaching the gospel with great effect. There was a call for Presbyterian ministers from Petersburg to the Roanoke, and from Richmond to the Blue Ridge.

While negotiations were in progress to procure the removal of Mr. Rice to Richmond, an event occurred, on the night of the 26th of December, 1811, that thrilled all hearts in the land with unutterable sympathy — the burning of the theatre in Richmond, with the sudden destruction of much of the loveliness and intelligence of the land. The families seated on the hills were a polished, refined, sociable, pleasure-loving community, gathered from the different counties, because, from time immemorial, the wealth, and fashion, and beauty of Virginia had assembled at the capital, particularly at the time of the sessions of the General Assembly. The theatre was one, and but one, of their occasional enjoyments, and not the one of the highest refinement. An old-fashioned Virginia dining party, select in its company, unlimited in its elegant preparations, was unbounded in its refined indulgence of the appetite, and the delicate attentions of social intercourse. Here was the display of taste in dress, elegance in manners, powers of conversation, and every accomplishment that adorns society. The theatre was a promiscuous gathering for a few hours, less attractive than the dining or dancing party, but one of the round of pleasures that occupied the time of the fashionable and the wealthy. It did not control society; it was one of the luxuries of the season, that gave variety to the succession of pleasures.

On that fatal night, the benefit of an admired actor enlisted the feelings of the community. Mr. Smith Governor of the State, Venable president of the Bank of Virginia, Botts an eminent lawyer, members of the Assembly, matronly ladies, fascinating belles, blooming girls, officers of the army and navy, men and youth from the city and the country, were collected in one splendid group, such as a theatre seldom sees. Alas, that such a gathering should be for death ! a most terrible death! An order was given about the light. The boy that held the strings objected—“ that it would set the scenery on fire.” The order was repeated. The boy obeyed. And immediately the theatre was in flames. From that moment every occurrence that can be gathered from the recollection of the frantic beholders, and the bewildered memories of those rescued from the flames, forms a part of the great drama of one act, ending so speedily in the immolation of seventy-two individuals, the flower of Richmond and the State. What a morning dawned on the 27th of December! Families knew sadly their bereavement, but in the mass of human cinders could not distinguish their dead. Of necessity there was a common burial. The mourning was universal. Fortuity was denied. God’s providence was acknowledged in the concurrence of circumstances preceding the catastrophe.

The gallantry, and heroism, and blind fatality of that suffering night have never been surpassed. And never perhaps has the sudden destruction of men, women, and children, in one overwhelming ruin, produced a greater moral effect. All classes of community bowed down before the Lord. Christians were moved to efforts of kindness and love, that the gospel might be preached abundantly in Richmond. In the vigorous exertions made for the spiritual welfare of this busy, pleasure-loving, but now serious city, all Christian denominations took a part. The voice of God was sounding loud,—“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, and call ye upon him while he is near,” —and the people were answering—“Thy face, Lord, will we seek,” The city had been thoughtless, and without God, but in her pleasure and her trade she had not become degraded.

Of this event, Mr. Rice writes to Mr. Judith Randolph, Jan. 1st, “I heard the melancholy event Sabbath, just as I was going into the Court-House to preach. It made such an impression on my mind that I could not resist the impulse to lay aside the text on which I intended to preach, and to deliver an extempore discourse, from, Isaiah 40th, and 6th,—‘And the voice said, Cry. And he said, what shall I cry? All flesh is grass.’ Happy would it be for us could we constantly realize this, and live as if every year and every day were to be our last.”

Again, on the 17th, to the same—“You will be surprised to hear that Mr. Lyle and I expect to have the pleasure of taking breakfast with you next Tuesday morning, on our way to Richmond. Some of my friends there have so earnestly solicited me to go down since the late awful visitation of Providence on that place, that I had not the heart to refuse, I am most anxious that so much distress should not be suffered in vain. If my friends there think that iffy poor labors will probably be useful in this way, ought I not to go at their call, and depend on the promised aid of the Spirit? I will mention to you in confidence, that the people of Richmond, who had applied to me to remove to that place, persevere in their application, and are resolved to carry their request to Presbytery; and I have informed them that, if the Presbytery should advise my removal, that I will go.”

A call was handed in to Presbytery at Red Oak, Brunswick, March 13, 1812. Mr. Rice earnestly desired the opinion of the brethren on his removal. The Presbytery declined giving any advice, and left Mr. Rice to choose between his position in Charlotte and n residence in Richmond. On the next day he declared his acceptance; and the pastoral relation with the church of Cub Creek was dissolved. On the 4th Sabbath of April he preached his farewell sermon to his friends in Charlotte, from the words of Paul, Acts 20th, 23d—“And now, Brethren, I commend you to God, and the word of his grace.” As he left the pulpit, the congregation crowded round him weeping. The colored people waited for him at the door, bathed his hands in tears, and with many exclamations of attachment and sorrow, bid him farewell. Some followed him along the road, unwilling to take their eyes from their preacher, though departing.

On Friday before the 2d Sabbath of May, he reached Richmond, and was entertained by Mr. Wm. S. Smith, at Olney. On Sabbath he preached in the Masons’ Hall, from—“And I am sure that when I come unto you I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” To his friend, Dr. Alexander, of Princeton, he writes, on the 14th of the month—a You will perceive, by the date of this letter, that I have changed my place of residence. We arrived here on Friday last, I mean to continue here till Providence directs our removal to some other place. The breaking up in Charlotte was a very severe trial, neither the people nor I knew, until parting time came, how much we loved one another. We parted in the warmest friendship; and I hope that the affection of my dear people, for so I must call them, for me will continue, as I am sure that mine will for them. I was received very cordially by the people, and preached twice last Sabbath to a very large audience. The people generally were very attentive, and not a few considerably affected. I was surprised to observe the very great numbers who attend church in this place. Every house of worship was crowded; and I was told that not less than five hundred went away from the Masons’ Hall, where I. preached, unable to find seats. 1 have proposed to several to establish a Christian library in the city. The proposition meets with much acceptance, and I hope to be able to tell you, in my next, how many subscribers we shall probably obtain. If this plan succeeds, my next effort will be to establish a Bible Society. Of the success of such an undertaking I am not able to form the least conjecture ; but I am adopting some measures to ascertain the extent of the want of Bibles here, which I fear is exceedingly great, considering the population.

"The spirit of religious enquiry is, I am convinced, extending its influence considerably in several parts of old Virginia. Mr. Speece has been urging me vehemently to undertake the editorship of a periodical work having something of the form of a Magazine. His plan is to publish, once in two weeks, a sheet containing sixteen 8vo pages, to be devoted to the cause of truth and piety. I believe that such a thing, if well conducted, would meet with very considerable encouragement, and if I could engage the assistance of a few of my brethren, I would willingly make an experiment of the matter. I have been to see Mr. Blair since I came to town. He received me in a friendly way, and assured ma of his disposition to cultivate a spirit of brotherly love. On my part I feel the same temper, and I hope that everything will go on very harmoniously.

“I am afraid the good people here will find it hard to pay for the completion of their church. It is now sheeted in. The shingles, flooring plank, and pews, are all in readiness; but their fund is exhausted, and they will be very much pestered to raise a sufficiency for their purpose. Will not the brethren afford us aid? Will not the people to the north assist us? The Methodists have built a new church here, and expect to pay for it in part in that way. An agent went on very lately from this place to solicit aid, and two days ago he forwarded from Baltimore six hundred and forty dollars for the church.” This building was the second church building erected by the Methodists in Richmond. The first was near the old market. This was on Shockoe Hill, near the new market, and has given place to the centenary church building.

All classes in Richmond received Mr. Rice kindly. The public mind was drawn to religion by strong sympathies. Its principles were discussed ; its forms and practice were eagerly enquired after; and able ministers were listened to with attention. Mr. Rice was well suited to the wants of the people. Truthfulness and kindness beamed from his countenance, sparkled from his eye, and fell from his smiling lips. His arguments and illustrations from Scripture were with power equal to their simplicity. His very ungracefulness of gesture commended his sincerity. He uttered no reproaches on Richmond. The words of our Saviour were with him—“or those on whom the towers. in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye they were sinners above all men that dwelt' at Jerusalem? I tell you nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” It was soon evident that no one room in the city would accommodate the congregations that would assemble. Of necessity a number of houses of worship were to be erected in the city. And very naturally the different denominations made exertions for their own accommodations.

Soon after reaching Richmond, Mr. and Mrs. Rice received a kind invitation to the dwelling of Mr. John Parkhil], a hardware merchant, at the sign of the Golden Key, on Main street, at the corner below the street leading to Mayo’s bridge. It was customary then for the merchants to live in handsomely furnished rooms over the store. Mr. Parkhill was lonely in his dwelling, having lately been deprived of his young and lovely wife about a year after their marriage. Unwilling to alter his domestic arrangements, he cheerfully received the minister and his wife to his house, to make part of the family. In this house the people first called to see their minister. Mr. Parkhill was an active and judicious helper in the congregation from the first. A polished, well educated Irishman, he knew how to appreciate the family that lodged under his roof; and under the instructions of Mr. Rice became a devoted Christian. Among his countrymen to whom he introduced his pastor was Mr. Alexander Pulton, who became a fast friend. This gentleman was married to a daughter of William Mayo, of Powhatan, had his residence at Mount Erin, near his father-in-law and the city, and received Mr. Rice with generous hospitality as often as he could secure a visit.

After a summer most agreeably passed with Mr. Parkhill, Mr. Rice commenced housekeeping on Braddock’s Hill, near to Rockets. His intimacy with the excellent people there was greatly increased; and the Wednesday night meetings then commenced, usually held at the house of Mrs. Young, were continued during his residence in Richmond. He had for a neighbor Mr. David I. Burr, and greatly prized his friendship; and in after years set a high value on his services as an elder.

The Presbytery of Hanover convened in Richmond, Friday, Oct. 16th, 1812, Messrs. Moses Hoge, James Mitchel, Conrad Speece, John H. Rice, William S. Reid, and Joseph Logan ; with the elders, Charles Allen, George Watt, and John Forbes. Dr. Hoge opened the services in the new meeting-house with a sermon from Genesis 28 :-16,17, “And Jacob awoke out of his sleep, and said, surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it. And he was afraid, and said, how dreadful is this place, it is none other but tlie house of God, and this is the gate of heaven;” and after sermon was chosen Moderator. “ Presbytery was informed that a congregation had been organized in the city of Richmond, under the title of the Presbyterian church in the city of Richmond, that said congregation requested to be received under the care of Presbytery; and also requested that the Rev. John H. Rice, who had for some time supplied the congregation, might be installed their pastor.” Benjamin H. Rice was received from Orange Presbytery, with a view to become pastor in Petersburg; Samuel D. Hoge, son of the Moderator, passed some of his trials as candidate; and Daniel Baker, the domestic missionary, received attention as alumnus.

On Monday, October 19th, the installation services were performed, Mr. Speece preached from the words — “So thou, son of man, I have set thee as a watchman.” The feeling of the congregation was highly excited. Other installations have been witnessed in Richmond of great interest, but never such a day. The church, now united to a pastor, was organized June 12th, about a month after Mr. Rice went to Richmond. The elders, George Watt and Benjamin Moseby, were ordained on the 20th of the same month; Messrs. Robert Quarles, William S. Smith, John Seabrook, and David I. Burr, were soon added. The number of members reported to Presbytery in May, 1813, was sixty. In May, 1814, the number was seventy, as reported to Presbytery. At that time Benjamin H. Rice reported a church in Petersburgh of twenty-seven members, with elders Messrs. Benjamin Harrison, John Gordon, and William Baird; Mr. Benjamin H. Rice was installed their pastor. Mr. Paxton was at the same time ordained evangelist at the request of the church of Norfolk.

Mr. Rice called the attention of the citizens of Richmond to the supply of the city with the Bible in obedience to a recommendation ox the General Assembly on the church in May, 1813, the Virginia churches being represented by Messrs. J. B. Hoge, Shannon, Ken-non, Calhoon and Bourne, with John Mark, elder. The citizens responded to the call, and a society was formed, that still exists, under the name of the Virginia Bible Society. This society, by its delegates, assisted in forming the American Bible Society in the city of New York in 1816. The Presbytery, in the fall of ’13, I enjoined on all the members of Presbytery to use their influence as far as may be in their power, to establish auxiliary societies in their respective bounds.” The whole State was soon aroused to a general supply of families with the Bible.

Mr. Rice met his congregation in the Masons’ Hall till the house for worship near Rockets was prepared for temporary occupation. It was never finished.  The location proved unsatisfactory; and after much expense all hope of completing it was abandoned. Mr. Rice felt the force of the objections, and advocated the sale of the lot and unfinished building, and the erection of a house in a more convenient position. “All this time ” —he says in a letter to Dr. Alexander — “my salary was very precarious, and not very seldom was I reduced to my last sixpence, and in fact had not money to go to market. Many times I thought very seriously of seeking another place of abode; but was put from these thoughts by some unexpected provision being made for me. Providence always provided for the supply of my immediate wants. Besides, I was convinced that, humanly speaking, the success of the Presbyterian cause depended on my staying here. Its main supporters were my warm personal friends, and they declared that if I should leave them they would give over. ‘ Don’t give up the ship,’ was my motto.” A little incident, related years afterwards by Mrs. Rice, with great glee, illustrates the preceding statement. They had received from their friends in Prince Edward a present of some black-eyed peas, a great favorite with Virginia folks, especially south-siders. There was no bacon in the house to give them their proper flavor; and what was worse, Mr. Rice declared he had no money in his pocket — much of his salary, by unfortunate neglect, being in arrears. Mrs. Rice, with some reflections on the remissness of the people he was serving, proposed sending some of the furniture to auction; and looking around, fixed upon the mahogany tables, saying they should be sent; and that pine tables were good enough for them and the people that could withhold his support. Mr. Rice remarked pensively that the case was sad ; he knew and felt it. Starting for his study, he turned at the door, and said smilingly, “ I trust, my dear, the Lord will provide.” As he was leaving the room a knock was heard at the door; as he passed on through the passage, he said, “ perhaps relief has come now.” Mrs. Rice went to the door; and there stood a servant with a message from a lady in the country, and a number of pieces of bacon. “I was vexed at myself,” said she, "for what had just passed, — half vexed at the lady for granting Mr. Rice such a triumph, and ashamed to go and tell him of a present so opportunely made.” At meal-time they rendered thanks. This dear lady, whose spirits were disturbed at the neglect of the congregation, when times of real necessity came, especially in building Union Theological Seminary, had a cheerful endurance that animated, and often amazed her husband. Many a heart in Richmond would have ached had they supposed their beloved pastor was in such extremity. What was unknown to the kindest of men was well known to God, and he sent a supply from the stores of his children.

The residence of Mr. Rice, on Braddock hill, being exposed to high winds, and otherwise not comfortable, Mr. Parkhill procured for him a small, but very pleasant tenement at the foot of Richmond hill, on Franklin street, near Mr. George Watt’s residence. To this he removed in 1813, and remained in it till the close of 1816, when the house was sold. He then removed to a small house opposite the dwelling of Benjamin Watkins Leigh, near Mrs. Gamble, Mr. West, and the Guathmey’s; and by this removal increased his intimacy with that circle of acquaintances. Removing from this place, he resided near Masons’ hall, till his own house on Innes hill, between Shockoe and Richmond hill, was completed in 1818. General Blackburn, calling to see him in his new residence, and hearing from Mr. Rice that the house had been built by the price of his farm in Charlotte, said laughingly — a You have given your horse for the saddle.” He remained in this residence, till accepting the Professorship of Theology, he removed to Prince Edward, lie ever considered that the damage and loss of frequent removals, were, in his case, amply compensated by his increased usefulness.

In the mourning and distress that followed the burning of the theatre, wounded affection sought relief in raising a monument to the memory of the dead. A church building, in whose structure some memorial of the fire and its victims should be enwrought, was chosen as the most becoming monument; and the site of the theatre the place of its erection. Various schemes for the proprietorship and occupancy were proposed. Should it be common to all denominations, or owned and occupied by two, or be the exclusive property of one? Mr. Blair held back, with his accustomed modesty, from exerting any influence, lest he should be charged with eagerly desiring what he could easily have obtained by proper exertions — the possession of the house. The subscribers were divided in their prepossessions between the Presbyterians and the Episcopalians; but the majority might have been carried for Mr. Blair and the Presbyterians if he had pressed his claims with the diligence others pressed theirs. Influences out of Richmond were used till the subscribers were about equally divided. An Irish gentleman, from the generous impulses of his nature, and from the influence, of some Episcopal connexions, finally gave his vote for Episcopal consecration rather than prolong a discussion that might end in bitterness. This example prevailed with others, and the matter was decided. Dr. Moore, of New York, was elected bishop of the diocese and rector of the church in February, 1814. Mr. Moore and Mr. Rice were not unknown to each other by reputation, and met with mutual high regard for past services. In the latter part of the year, Mr. Rice writes to Dr. Alexander — “Bishop Moore appears to be a zealous and pious man, and I hope will do much good among the people. He is uncommonly friendly with me, and I am resolved that it shall not be my fault if he does not continue so.”

When the Monumental Church was opened, some of the Scotch families, of Presbyterian origin and habits, discouraged by the obstacles thrown in the way of Mr. Rice and his congregation, particularly in obtaining a suitable place for worship convenient for their attendance, united with the Episcopal Church under Dr. Moore. This saddened the heart of Mr. Rice without breaking his spirits or embittering his soul. But some sentiments propagated with caution and yet sedulously, about an authorised ministry, and sacraments, and succession, and diocesan Bishops, and confirmation as a rite, disturbed his heart. Writing to Dr. Alexander he says — “The Episcopalians are making a mighty effort in this State to revive their Church. At first I thought they were setting out on true evangelical principles, and was heartily enough disposed to take them by the hand, and bid them God speed; but it now seems to me as if they intended to pull down the building of others, in order to erect their own. They aim especially at the Presbyterians. Their conduct is such as, I fear, will make it necessary for us to oppose them. In fact we shall certainly be plagued with a religious controversy.I have for my part resolved not to strike the first blow, but I wish to be ready to defend myself.”

The Rev. Mr. Buchanan, the Episcopal minister, who alternated with Mr. Blair in conducting public worship in the capitol, gave Mr. Rice a hearty welcome to Richmond. Cheerful in disposition, and frank in manners, of a cultivated mind, fond of study, strongly attached to his own Church, yet understanding the rights of conscience, acquainted with Richmond, and no stranger to Scotch Presbyterianism either in his native land or in Virginia, he welcomed Mr. Rice as the man demanded by the dispositions and necessities of multitudes in the city, some of whom were from his own dear Scotland. His welcome soon became friendship, and this grew warmer and Warmer till death. A man of property, and a bachelor, he continued to give Mr. and Mrs. Rice substantial proofs of his attachment, in a most gentlemanly and Christian manner. On one occasion seeing that Mrs. Rice was sinking under the effects of disease, and having discussed the propriety of a visit to the Springs, till he thought he discovered the cause of her being detained at home, he waived the matter for a time, and when again he renewed it, he made a cheerful attack upon Mr. Rice — that he was the favored one that had been fortunate enough to get a wife, — but that he himself, a bachelor brother, had some right in her, so far as to demand that her health should be cared for. Some time after a lady put into the hands of Mrs. Rice a roll of bank bills, advising her to go to the springs, and saying a friend who must be anonymous, ' had sent her that for her expenses. After her return, when the name of the kind friend was mentioned to her by the lady, Mrs. Rice sent Mr. Buchanan a complimentary note of thanks. On reading it, he said to their mutual friend Mrs. Moncurevery cheerfully — “why madam, this is worth a hundred dollars.” He was in the habit of sending to Mr. Blair, for his wife’s sake, his marriage fees. Mr. Blair showed a similar kind feeling to a Methodist minister, by admitting his son, free of charge, to the privileges of his classical school. The Methodist minister returned the compliment by sending his son, who was a good singer, to aid Mr. Blair, as a chorister, the days he preached in the capitol. These four ministers had each their sphere in Richmond.

Through the indefatigable labor§ of Mr. Parkhill and others, the Church lot and house near Rockets were sold in 1815, for nine thousand dollars, and a subscription raised to the amount of eight thousand more; and a lot in a more central position near the market-house was purchased. The business of the city reviving with returning peace, the building of the new Church was commenced without delay and prosecuted with vigor. In the succeeding year it was finished; and the congregation and their pastor joyfully entered their place of worship.

The Christian Monitor in pamphlet form, of eight octavo pages, made its appearance July 8th 1815, from the press of Arthur Gr. Booker & Co., four doors below the Bell tavern, to be continued weekly; Mr. Rice the sole editor and proprietor. The fundamental principles are 1st. That man is a totally depraved and helpless creature; 2nd. That Jesus Christ is the only Saviour. That we are justified by faith alone, without the deeds of the law; 4th. That we are regenerated and sanctified by the Holy Spirit; 5th. That the only proper and satisfactory evidence of faith and conversion is a holy life. The principal purpose of the paper is to communicate religious intelligence.” The second year of its existence the periodical became more original and literary, and was issued once in two weeks, in numbers of 16 pages, from the press of John Warrock. The last number appeared Saturday, August 30th, 1817. As a register of facts occurring in Virginia, and as the repository of productions of great merit written by worthy ministers in the State, it is invaluable. At the conclusion of the 2d volume, the editor says, “a number of gentlemen have laid a plan for the publication of a Monthly Magazine, and have committed the editorship to the conductor of this paper, after having given him assurance of liberal support both as contributors to the work, and agents for its circulation.”

While Mr. Rice was busy in preparing the prospectus of the Christian Monitor, Mrs. Rice was summoned in haste to visit her sick mother. Leaving Richmond on Saturday, February 4th, she made all speed, but was not permitted to see her depart. Heath had completed his work on the 2d, two days before the news of the sickness of the mother reached the daughter. From an interesting article prepared by Mr. Rica who esteemed Mrs. Morton — *the dearest and best friend that I ever had, one who in all respects supplied the place of a mother to me” — we learn that Mary Smith was born, in the year 1755, of parents who occasionally had the privilege of hearing Samuel Davies; and brought up their children in the fear of God, supplying as far as practicable, to their family the want of gospel preaching, by their godly example and instruction. Just after the close of the revolutionary war she was married to a young officer, who had served very much to his own credit during the whole of that arduous conflict. Having become a mother, a new field of duties was opened to her. And here she was distinguished beyond any other person with whom the writer has ever been acquainted. Few mothers were ever more active, industrious or economical, in making provision for the temporal support of their children; and yet this did not weigh a feather in the scale, when compared with the everlasting interests of those whom God had given her. The whole course of her conduct seemed to have reference to the eternal welfare of those who were committed to her care.

“When a daughter of hers had arrived at the age of about three years, she took her into her closet, and addressed her in language to this import: —"My child, when you were a little baby I devoted you to God in the ordinance of baptism. I then gave you up to him. I intend to give you to him again. You must be a child of God. He made you, and keeps you alive, and gives you every good thing to enjoy. When you lie down at night he preserves you, and when you rise up and go out, he preserves you from harm. He is always doing you good. You must learn to love and serve him, and he will take care of you while you live and make you happy when you die.’ She then kneeled down, and with all the ardor of true piety, and all the fervor of a mother’s love, commended the child to the divine protection, and implored on her behalf the blessing of heaven. The impression made at this time, as I have heard, was never erased ; but is deeply felt even to this day, although the occurrence took place four and twenty years ago. She acquired, to a very uncommon extent, an ascendancy over the minds of both her sons and daughters. They had no secrets to keep from their mother. She was their counsellor, sympathised with them in all their little troubles and perplexities, and made herself necessary for their enjoyments. Although the economy of the family was conformed to the strictest notions of -religion, there was in it nothing gloomy or austere. A more cheerful domestic circle was never known than that in which Mary Morton presided; and yet there were no parties of pleasure, there was no dancing, no card-playing. In fact, there was no need of amusements. They were never thought of. The parents and children were so happy in themselves and in the company of their select friends, that every day seemed too short for the enjoyment of the domestic happiness which flowed bounteously in upon them. In the family of Mary Morton, old age was always treated with most marked respect. An old man, who had lived to second childhood, had done something not a little ridiculous for a person of his age. ‘ William,’ said an acquaintance to one of the little boys, about twelve years of age, ‘ did you not laugh when Uncle Tom behaved so foolishly to-day V ‘No,’ replied William; ‘and I hope that I shall always know better than to langh at an old man.’

‘Right, my son,’ exclaimed both the parents at once; ‘and always remember to reverence the hoary head.’

The last days of Drury Lacy, by his two friends, Mr. Rice and Robert Ralston.

Mr. Rice says, November 16th, 1815 — “Mr. Lacy came to my house on his way to Philadelphia. He is afflicted with the stone, and is gone with the view of having a surgical operation performed. This, at his time of life especially, is a serious matter. But an event, Which has taken place since his departure from home, makes his situation as distressing as it well can be. About the first of the present month Mrs. Lacy was taken with the disease which proved so fatal last winter, and died on the eighth day. Of this melancholy change Mr. Lacy knows nothing; and it is my wish that he may not hear of it until some time after the operation on him shall have been performed.” Mr. Robert Ralston, at whose house in Philadelphia he died, says — “Our dear friend was calm and composed under the prospect of the severe trial he was to undergo. The Saturday night previous to the operation (the 25th of November having written his last letter to his wife, whom he supposed still living) he changed his seat at the fire, where the family were sitting, and came alongside of my chair, observing that he wished to make a communication previous to his confinement up stairs, which he was looking to on the next Monday morning. He then handed a little parchment pocket-book, containing three hundred dollars, desiring that, after paying the expenses which might be incurred for him in case of his death, fixing a stone at the head of his grave, the residue, if any, should be given to his son. This was spoken loud enough for the family to hear; and many other things relative to his dissolution, if it should please God, in his wise providence, to call him into the eternal world. The family were impressed with the solemnity of the communication, and the perfect tranquillity which attended him during the time of making it. On Monday, December 4th, he told me, about daylight, that he had spent a more comfortable time than in many preceding nights. His great anxiety, he said, was that the noise he made would disturb us in the next room; observing, at the same time, he knew we thought nothing an inconvenience concerning him; that we were showing him kindness because he was a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Lord would not overlook it. On Tuesday, being very low, he said he had no ecstacy or raptures, but the Lord enabled him to trust in him to a degree that surpassed his former expectations. He requested me to write a letter to Mrs. Lacy, in case of his death, to comfort her dear mind; he knew it would be a great comfort to her. A strong prevailing hope appeared to be his happy portion. The hiccup prevailed all the morning, with some intervals; at 9 o’clock, P. M., a cold sweat, returns of the hiccup, and paroxysms of pain. I asked him if he knew me; he replied, it is Ralston. On Wednesday,

December 6th, he appeared very near his end. He said to me —

"Not my will, but the will of my heavenly father, be done.' Mr. Eastburn prayed with him, but he did not appear to be sensible throughout the exercise. Dr. Janeway prayed with him just before his departure, which was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. He went out of the world easy.”

The Board of Directors of Union Theological Seminary, in compliance with a resolution of the Synod of Virginia, made in the fall of 1815, appointed Rev. Messrs. John H. Rice and William Hill, together with William Wirt, Esq., a committee, to obtain, if practicable, on reasonable terms, from the State Legislature, an Act vesting in the trustees of the seminary corporate powers. A petition was presented early in the succeeding sessions; the committee of propositions reported favorably. On Tuesday, the 2d of January, 1816, the bill was taken up in order, in committee of the whole house, and the gentlemen petitioners were admitted to the floor, to be heard in its favor. Mr. Baker, of Cumberland, moved to strike out the words, “is reasonable and insert, “be rejected” The petition was novel, the objections talked over among members were numerous, and of various sorts; it was an innovation on Virginia political habits to have an incorporation of a religious bearing; it was not right to do any thing to give one denomination any advantage over the others, particularly after the movements made respecting the glebe lands: and it would be, in fact, a religious establishment. Mr. Rice entered into an argument of some length in favor of the petition, and endeavoring to remove objections. Mr. Wirt followed, with a speech of acknowledged ability, adding to his previously great reputation. These gentlemen urged that it was not a general law of incorporation for religious purposes, but a single act resting on the merits of the case; that the act was necessary to promote sound learning, good morals and true religion, by elevating the character and qualifications of the ministry; that the doors of the institution were open for all denominations; that other denominations might, if they desired, obtain the same privilege from the Assembly; that there was no relation between such an act and a religious establishment; that this act was asked for simply that sufficient funds might be legally held, to sustain an institution for the education of clergymen; and that religious liberty was best defended, by extending to all members of the community the privileges of education, and demanding a high degree of it in the ministers of the gospel; and that the privilege of vesting their own funds, under the protection of law, was a privilege that had been granted to associations of almost every imaginable kind, except those of a religious bearing; and that the petitioners only asked for the acknowledged rights and privileges of the feeblest citizens of the Commonwealth, for the right of citizens to give their property to a school, and to have that property legally protected. After Messrs. Rice and Wirt had spoken, Mr. Hill enquired if any objection remained on the mind of any member; that he would be gratified with the opportunity of hearing it, with the privilege of replying. Mr. Mercer moved that the petition be laid on the table ; carried without debate. The feeling of the house was averse to incorporations of a religious nature. While the matter was under consideration, Mr. Rice prepared for the press a pamphlet, containing a succinct statement of the course pursued by the Presbyterians, in the efforts for religious liberty, in the times preceding and during the Revolution. His documents were drawn from the records of the Virginia Legislature and of Hanover Presbytery, and formed a mass of testimony of unanswerable weight and authority. Unexpectedly, it was delayed in the press, until after the action of the Assembly. It was widely circulated, and read with deep interest. Whether the delay in the press had any influence on the determination of the vote in the committee, is a matter of speculation; the argument was unanswerable, but the decision was probably foregone, in the decided unwillingness of the Legislature to take any step on the subject of incorporations of a religious bearing. The public sentiment in Virginia has undergone a great change on that subject.

Mr. Rice had the pleasure of being the representative of the Bible Society of Virginia, and also of the auxiliaries in Petersburg, Norfolk and Frederick County, in that Convention in the City of New York, in 1816, that formed the American Bible Society, “for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment;” and greatly rejoiced in having his friend, William Wirt, Esq., appointed one of the Vice-Presidents.

A modest, devoted philanthropist, then unknown to fame, an efficient advocate of the African Colonization Society, visited Richmond in the summer of 1816. A lady residing at the time in the city, says, in a letter, “ We had a visit from Mr. Samuel J. Mills, then unknown, and quite young. He had several schemes on hand, Colonization one of them. But I think he did most in private. Miss E. G. was staying with her cousin, Mrs. Wirt, and was very often with me. She has ever ascribed her conversion to Mr. Mills’ conversation. She is now the wife of Governor G., of Georgia, and sometime since sent me word, she never passed a day without remembering me in prayer, since early in 1$17. During this visit, Mr. Mills induced Misses H. M. and E. B. to commence a Sabbath-school. They went to a Methodist lady, Miss Polly Bowles, who taught a little day-school near Masons’ Hall, and in her school-room commenced the school with prayer. Soon after, the school was removed to the Masons’ Hall; and a better one I never knew.” After the death of Mr. Mills — dying on the ocean, his body was cast into the great deep — his worth began to be estimated. He had walked with noiseless step, and his benevolence distilled as the dew; the recollection of him was precious, and men wondered they had not prized him more while living. Christians in Richmond may ask — have we ever made a special effort to do good, that a special blessing has not fallen upon us? A Colonization Society was not formed in Richmond till November 4th, 1823, when Rev. R. R. Gurley visited the city, and addressed the citizens assembled for the purpose of forming a Society; Judge Marshall was the first President.

The first number of the Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, a monthly periodical, appeared in January, 1818, with Mr. Rice as editor. With the same general platform of belief as the Christian Monitor, it took a wider range in the literary and scientific departments. “For God and our Country," is the motto which would most adequately express our views and feelings. Acknowledging the United States as our country, we confess that we take a peculiarly lively interest in the prosperity and welfare of that section in which we were born and educated, and therefore we have prefixed the name ‘Virginia,’ to the general terms which characterize the nature of our work.” Dr. Speece contributed largely to the pages of this periodical — more commonly over the signature of Melancthon; Dr. Matthews over N. S.; Messrs. Hoge and Lyle made frequent contributions; Messrs. Wirt and Maxwell, from the bar, lent their aid; and able pens, from different parts of the country, gave assistance. But the great labor was on Dr. Rice, whose powers, were taxed, from month to month, through a series of years ; and the work remains a monument of his industry, piety, judgment and learning. Its last number was issued December, 1828; some of the latter volumes not having much of his supervision. The work is a Thesaurus of reference on the religious history of Virginia, and for specimens of the theology and literature of the period of its production. '

With the Magazine, Mr. Rice embarked in another enterprise, of which he writes to Mr. Maxwell, January 10th, 1819 —“I want you here in Richmond most' egregiously. I have purchased a printing press, and have formed a little company for carrying on the machine. The capital necessary to commence is divided into eighteen shares of one hundred dollars. The press with all its fixtures of type, cases, book press, &c., cost fifteen hundred dollars. I have gotten seventeen shares of the stock subscribed; I taking five. There is the best job office in Virginia attached to the Office ; and it is calculated that this will yield a product of nearly thirty dollars per week. The magazine will pay sixty dollars per month. And these two items will pay expenses, supposing we employ four hands. But four hands will do. just twice as much as the work stated. I shall employ them, then, in printing good things to be circulated through the country, and sold to the best advantage. The object is to promote learning and religion. What would you think of the republication of Smith’s History of Virginia f But my favorite plan is to publish a Pamphleteer. I wish several numbers thrown into circulation, calculated to answer these three questions — Why are you a Christian? Why are you a Protestan? And, why are you a Presbyterian? The pieces should teach the Deistical, Catholic, Socinian, Baptist, Arminian, and Episcopal controversies; It was the desire of Mr. Rice to avoid controversy on denominational subjects in the Magazine, if possible. It was evident to him and others, that controversy on these subjects would come; it could not be avoided in a community aroused to the enquiry, What does the Bible teach? Mr. Rice preferred a pamphlet to a monthly periodical as the vehicle of address to the public on the agitated questions.

The first number of the Pamphleteer was on the Subjects and Manner of Baptism. On this theme Mr. Rice was familiar by his intercourse in College with Messrs. Alexander, Speece, and Lyle, while they were investigating the various departments of the great subject. He discusses the subject as a Biblical question for historical investigation. While the second number of the Pamphleteer, on the question — Whether there be one order of ministers in Christ’s Church, or more than one — was in course of preparation, to use the words of Mr. Rice to Mr. Maxwell, Dec. 30th, 1819, 44 Some of the Transmontane people are so dissatisfied because I will not come out against the Episcopalians, that they are trying to set up another Magazine at Lexington. Proposals are issued, and they say that they will publish if they get four hundred subscribers. I am losing mine fast. But if I retain four hundred, I will publish. I have, no doubt, however, that I shall have eight hundred to begin the year with.” The complaint from the Valley was, that the periodical, that circulated in the Presbyterian church, did not defend the doctrines of that church when assailed, particularly that the claims lately set up for the divine authority of these orders of the clergy, and the supremacy of a Diocesan Bishop, had not been opposed and shown to be futile. Mr. Rice admitted the necessity of setting aside those claims appearing to the brethren so arrogant, but preferred a pamphlet devoted to the purpose as the medium of the controversy, to a periodical devoted to religion and literature. The appearance of the second number of the Pamphleteer, which was devoted to this particular subject of controversy, removed the cause of complaint. The ability and thoroughness of the discussion satisfied the projectors of the new periodical, and the design of a new paper was abandoned. The Magazine struggled hard for existence; but survived the pressure. The article Something Curious in the closing number of the second volume, December, 1819, produced a great sensation. The negotiations in progress -with the noted infidel Dr. Cooper, to become the leading professor at the University, were arrested, and the Doctor removed further South. The juxtaposition of the events led to the conjecture that the observations made by a Lunatic on the transactions of the people in the Moon, were closely related in antecedence and consequence as cause and effect with the departure of Dr. Cooper from Virginia.

The Franklin press sent forth two pamphleteers; and two works in octavo volumes, Smith’s History of Virginia, and Sermons selected from the manuscripts of the late Moses Hoge, D. D. The design of the association in purchasing the press was admirable, but the difficulties were insurmountable. The products of the Southern press could not then compete with the Northern productions in the market in price, however they might in excellence. And the taste for religious reading had not been sufficiently cultivated in the South to awaken enthusiasm for the enterprise in Richmond. The American Tract Society, and the American Sunday School Union, and the Presbyterian Board of Publication, with more ample funds and wider range of circulation, after many discouragements, and many efforts, have accomplished what Mr. Rice designed, beyond his utmost expectations. And though the enterprise in Richmond was in part a failure,-it nevertheless was well that it was in the heart of Mr. Rice to plan and attempt the accomplishment of the grand design; too great for his means, but not too large for his heart.

Having referred to the University of Virginia, it is proper to remark that Mr. Rice was in favor of a State University before any endowment was made; and desired it might be Christian, but not sectarian. In the January number, 1819, he says, “A bill has lately passed both houses establishing an University. Our next most earnest wish, nay, our fervent prayer is, that it may be an honor and a blessing to Virginia; and that it may be a nursery of true science and genuine virtue. May it please God to smile on tile University and crown it with his favor! There is one thing which we hope will never be forgotten, namely, that it is the University of Virginia. It is no local or private establishment, no institution to subserve the purposes of a party, it is the property of the people, and every citizen in the State has a right and a property in it. We hope that all will recognise this truth, and assert their right, and let their opinion be felt. On the one hand they will see to it that it shall not be partial to any society of Christians, and on the other, that infidelity, whether open or disguised under a Christian name, shall not taint its reputation or poison its influence.”

Josiah Smith of Montrose, Powhatan, was held in peculiar estimation by Mr. Rice. The brother of Mrs. Mary Morton, reared with the same pious care, he was of like precious faith. Montrose early took the place next to Willington, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith next to Major and Mrs. Morton in the heart of Mr. Rice. On the occasion of his death Mr. Rice writes — “We speak what we do know, when we say that, what many are in obituary notices, Josiah Smith was in his manner of living. The virtues which others talk of he practised. He was not a man of words, but of deeds; not of promises, but of performance. That man does not, and never did live, who was his enemy. All who knew him were his friends'. His gentleness and kindness insured universal good will; his integrity commanded universal confidence. His removal has diminished the moral worth of his county, and left a chasm in its society, which it will not be easy to fill. Old and young, far and near, regarded his death as a bereavement. But chiefly does his amiable family bow down under this bereavement. It was in the domestic circle that the most admirable traits in his character were exhibited. There the devotion of the husband, the affection of the father, the kindness of the master, the ardor of the friend, and the open-hearted hospitality of the Virginian, were mingled with the meekness, and faith, and charity of the Christian: for Josiah Smith was a Christian. Without making a parade of profession, he carried the principles of his religion into all the relations and the whole business of life.” He managed his affairs, and made his bargains, and laid all his schemes as a Christian. “The close corresponded with the tenor of his life; he died full of peace,” on 4th of January, 1819, aged 55 years. His amiable wife survived him many years an exemplary Christian, and departed at last in the hope of a joyful resurrection. In meekness and piety Mr. Smith resembled Dr. Hoge; and “his worth was equalled only by his modesty.” His parents were the people that often rode fifty miles to hear Davies, going on horseback, fording James river, and often carrying each a child too small to be left at home, or to ride alone ; and he probably went that way more than once when a child. Had Mr. Rice said less of him, he had not been true to himself or his friend.

A visit of the Rev. William Chester to Richmond in January, 1819, cheered the spirits of Mr. Rice, saddened by the loss of his friend, Josiah Smith. “He gave me”—says Mr. Rice to Dr. Alexander — “the 3d Annual Report of the Young Men’s Missionary Society, of New York. I read it with much interest. Chester preached at an evening-meeting, for us, and a number of young men were present. While he was preaching, I felt in my pocket for my handkerchief, and took hold of this report. At once the thought rushed into my mind — I will try when Chester is done, if the young men here can be roused to any feeling on the subject of establishing a Missionary Society. As soon as the preacher closed. I rose and delivered an address. It set Chester in a flame. Several young men were kindled by it. The result was that a society has been organized, denominated the Young Men's Missionary Society of Richmond. It consists now of forty members. The officers are all such young men as I approved. W e regard it as an event of some consequence, inasmuch as we hope the example will be followed in Norfolk, Petersburg,, and Fredericksburg.” This Society flourished beyond the fondest anticipations of the pastor. The first annual meeting was held in the following May; at which time it had upwards of one hundred members enrolled. Societies were formed in other places. Those in Richmond and Petersburg were particularly active, and successful in supplying large districts of West Hanover Presbytery with efficient missionaries. It has >been a subject of reflection and enquiry whether such organizations might not be desirable as permanent means of supplying a great number of neighborhoods.

Mr. Rice attended the General Assembly in Philadelphia, May 1819, and was chosen Moderator; and in performing the duties won the esteem and respect of the Assembly. On the 24th of the month, he delivered a sermon before the .Board of Missions. This sermon was preached again in Richmond at the request of the young men ; and published for their advantage. It is of permanent value.

Of the compliment of D.D., from the College of New Jersey in the following summer, he writes — “I have never valued, and of course never coveted, academical honors. But anything, that betokens the esteem and friendship of good men, is grateful to my heart. So far as a degree betokens this, I prize it, and no further.^ The next year a similar compliment was paid Mr. Speece, of which Mr. Rice says to Mr. Maxwell: “The Princeton folks have doctored brother Speece. He is now D. D. I am glad of it. I did not like to wear this thing tacked to my name, like two packs on the back of a strolling pedlar, until Speece was acoutred in the same way. With him to accompany me I shall do tolerably well. Mr. Rice while Moderator, was made Director of the Seminary at Princeton; and served till 1824, when his duties in the Seminary in Prince Edward rendered it proper to resign.

Dr. Rice having attended the meeting of the Bible Society in New York, and the examination of “above seventy students in divinity’* at Princeton, proceeded to Philadelphia, May, 1820, to open the Assembly, according to custom, having been Moderator the preceding year. He preached from the words—“ Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace, and things whereby one may edify another,” Rom. 14, 19. In perusing the sermon one knows not which to admire, most, the good sense and piety embodied in the discourse, or the independence of the man in preparing and delivering it. Its appropriateness was felt at the time. The greater part of it might be read with great propriety at the opening of every General Assembly, particularly what is said—on official pretensions-—on the love of distinction—and influence—on parties in the church—discoveries in religion—uniformity of opinions—and on the spirit and forms of doing business in the Assembly. Two sentences may commend the rest. “ If I might be permitted to recommend such a thing to my fathers and brethren, I would most earnestly and solemnly recommend to all not. to propose a single measure, or rise to make a speech during the session of Assembly, without first attempting to realize that God takes cognizance of our thoughts and motives, and without ejaculating a prayer to the hearer of prayer for direction and assistance.” The second is—“A congress of plenipotentiaries from all the states in Christendom, held to deliberate on the political interests in the world, would attract universal attention, and create universal expectation. But all that their deliberations would or could involve, whether of war or peace, of liberty or slavery, in comparison with the mighty, the incomprehensible interests, which here claim our attention, is no more than the dust on the balance, the atom on the sunbeam, compared with the solid dimensions of the .material universe. Why, brethren, it is not the temporary interests of worms of the dust, it is not the concerns of a perishing world that claim our attention ; it is the concerns of many, very many immortal souls; it is the interests of the kingdom of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; it is the honor of our God, that engage our deliberations and demand our very best affections.”

The truly benevolent spirit of the speaker won the hearts of the Assembly; all parties, for there were parties there ready to engage in combat, reverenced the man, and desired his friendship. If the greatness of a sermon is to be measured by its permanent efforts, this was one of the greatest, if not the very greatest, of Dr. Rice’s public efforts. His own deportment in the Assembly was in accordance with his sermon. When, in succeeding years, he visited the churches to obtain their assistance for building the Union Theological Seminary, he was received as a man of a peaceable and lovely spirit.

As a delegate, he attended the Assembly again, in 1822, and was deeply engaged in the business of the sessions, as—“nearly three-fourths were young members, and of the rest, a considerable number were unacquainted with the routine of business.” In a letter to Mr. Maxwell, the preceding April, he expressed his wish—“ I am going to the North to endeavor to make arrangements for a better and more regular supply of missionaries. I shall of course be at Princeton. From the General Assembly I intend to get a commission to go to the associations of Connecticut and Massachusetts—and as far as Andover. My object in all is to promote religion in Virginia.” He was chosen delegate according to his wish. Remaining in Princton long enough to arrange the materials for the June number of his Magazine, he entered New England with a mind awake to observation. It was at the meeting of the association of' Massachusetts, in Springfield, he delivered the sermon, the recollection of which is thus penned by Dr. Sprague, after an interval of about thirty years.

“He came to the North as a delegate from the General Assembly to the General Associations of Connecticut and Massachusetts. I was present at both meetings, and saw and heard him both in private and in public. The General Association of Connecticut met at Tolland. Dr. Rice’s high character was well known to most of the ministers assembled there, and everything he said and did abundantly sustained it. His preaching was deeply serious and impressive, and was received with great favor. His address, tendering to the Association the assurance of the sympathy and kind feeling of the General Assembly, was in his usual and felicitous style, and was responded to with great apparent cordiality. The next week I saw him in Springfield, at the meeting of the General Association of Massachusetts, where he appeared to still more advantage. On that occasion he preached a sermon in connexion with the administration of the communion, on the text — ‘ The love of Christ constraineth us.’ He began by asking each person in the house who had an interest at the throne of grace to lift up his heart at that moment, and silently implore a blessing upon the preacher and the message he was about to deliver; and though the request seemed to be heard with great attention and solemnity, it was so great a departure from what is commonly heard in a New England pulpit, where everything is staid and according to rule, that I was not without some apprehension, at the momentj that the desired effect would not be realized.

I perceived, however, almost immediately, that the Doctor was in such a frame for preaching as I had not seen him in before, and he continued constantly to rise from the beginning to the end of the sermon. Besides being exceedingly rich in the most precious truths of the gospel, it was an admirable specimen of lucid reasoning, and every sentence of it was spoken from a heart which was actually glowing and heaving with a sense of the love of Christ. Notwithstanding it was a kind of eloquence to which my New England friends were not used, they were still free to acknowledge its remarkable power, and I have rarely seen an audience more entirely melted and subdued than on that occasion. The impression which Dr. Rice made at that meeting was exceedingly favorable, and I doubt not had much to do with the rather uncommon success which subsequently attended his, application in that region for aid for establishing the Union Theological Seminary in Virginia.” From Dr. Sprague’s sketch, and Dr. Rice’s notes, published in the Magazine, it is evident that the estimation of the Southern Doctor and the New England theologians and congregations was mutually favorable. They met prepared to be pleased; they parted friends in the service of their common Lord.