settled his colleague and is his successor in the ministry. Doctor Eckley departed this life, after a short illness, on the 30 of April, 1811, in the 61 year of his age. The rev. doctor Lathrop, the senior minister of the Boston association, in his accustomed affectionate manner, paid a tribute of respect to the memory of the able, conscientious, faithful, and zealous doctor Eckley, in a sermon, from Rev. 14. 13, which he delivered on the day of interment, and which is before the publick. This article is closed with the following extracts from that sermon.

"Doctor Eckley was a faithful minister of the word of God. This part of his character I shall not attempt to illustrate. I only appeal to the people of his late charge. He has a witness for him in your hearts. May I not say, in the words of St. Paul, varying them a little to the occasion, ye are witnesses and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably, he behaved himself among you, that believe. With what solemnity did he warn sinners of their danger, and call upon them to repent and be converted, that their sins might be forgiven ? With what seriousness did he exhort professors of christianity to walk circumspectly; to honour their profession, and to cause their light to shine before men, that they seeing their good works might be induced to glorify God? While he taught the doctrine of justification through faith, he gave encour agement to none, that they might hope for justif

sation, unless they had the faith, which worketh by love, and which purifieth the heart.

"Doctor Eckley was a zealous minister of the gospel of Christ. His affections were naturally lively, and we have good reason to believe his heart was warmed by the grace of God. He loved his divine Master and he loved the souls of men. He had a zeal for God; but it was not a zeal to make converts to a particular denomination of christians, nor to a particular mode of worship. His zeal was to make men good; to make them pious and benevolent; to make them the humble disciples of Jesus Christ; and then it was of little consequence with him, where they worshipped, provided they in any place worshipped God, who is a spirit in spirit and in truth. He had a zeal to build up the kingdom of the Redeemer; but he never advised nor requested any to make a profession of what they did not feel, nor to promise what they had no inclination to perform. He very well knew, the kingdom of God doth not consist in meats and drinks, in outward professions and forms of worship; but in righteousness and peace, as well as joy in the Holy Ghost."

BOSTON, MASS

565. Note. The rev. WILLIAM EMERSON, the late pastor of the first church in Boston, was born at Concord, in Massachusetts, 6 May, 1769. He was the only son of the rev. William Emerson of that place and grandson of the rev. Joseph Emer son of Malden. His mother, mrs. Phebe Emerson,

was a daughter of the rev. Daniel Bliss of Concord. He was enrolled among the graduates of Harvard university in 1739. He was ordained the pastor of the church and congregation in the town of Harvard, in 1792. His popular talents induced the people of the most ancient religious society in Boston to take measures for his removal. By an honourable adjustment he was released from his first charge and was installed in the capital of New England, 16 October, 1799, where he continued till the 12 of May, 1811, when he died after an illness of a few days' continuance.

Mr. Emerson wrote a History of the first church in Boston from its establishment containing much interesting information, which has been published since his decease. His character, as given in the sermon delivered at his funeral by the rev. mr. Buckminster, makes a part of the volume. A memoir commemorative of his virtues, talents, and literary worth is inserted in the 1 vol. 2 dec. Coll. Mass. His. Soc. The following paragraphs are selected from the funeral discourse.

"The Rev. William Emerson gave early indications of devotedness to God. He was a descendant of pious ancestors through many generations; and the only son of one of the most popular and promising ministers of New England, who died early in the American revolution. The mother, who survives to mourn over the death of her son, saw him with delight soon giving his attention and studies to the word and ministry of that God, to whom the

prayers and wishes of his parents had directed his first thoughts. They, who knew him best, during the most trying period of youthful virtue, bear witness to the singular purity of his mind, tenderness of his conscience, devoutness of his feelings, and strictness of his manners; qualities, which, by God's blessing, age and experience did not diminish, and which his christian profession afterwards secured and improved."

"Such is the constitution of society among us, that much of the care of our literary and charitable institutions devolves upon those clergymen, who have disposition and qualifications for the task. Mr. Emerson's industry, integrity, accuracy, and fidelity were well known in the numerous societies, of which he was a member. The town has lost a diligent observer of its youth and education; the Academy and Historical Society an associate greatly interested in their flourishing state; the University an attentive overseer. The clergy throughout the country have lost a hospitable and liberal brother; his family a most careful and excellent father, husband, and master; and his friends an honourable friend."

BOSTON, MASS.

566 Note.-The rev. JOSEPH STEVENS BUCKMINSTER, successor to the late rev. Peter Thacher, D.D. in the pastoral care of the congregational church in Brattle-street, Boston, departed this life, on the 9 of June, 1812, twenty two hours before his

Father, the rev. Joseph Buckminster of Portsmouth, in the 29 year of his age. [See art. 373.] He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and an honorary member of the New-York Historical Society.

Since his decease, a volume of his sermons has been selected and published on an elegant paper and type, accompanied with a biographical memoir, handsomely written by the rev. Samuel Cooper Thacher, and a striking portrait engraved by mr. Leney from a superb painting executed by mr. Stuart.

To this work the reader is referred for an account of mr. Buckminster, who was a gentleman of the most amiable disposition, of uncommon celebrity as a classical and belleslettres scholar, and was one of the most engaging and eloquent pulpit orators in America.

BOSTON, MASS.

567. Note. The rev. JOHN ELIOT, D. D. of Boston, one of the founders, and successor of doc. Belknap, as corresponding secretary, of the Massachusetts Historical Society, a beloved pastor of his flock, extensively known by his valuable historical and biographical labours, departed this life, in the joyous hope of an interest in redeeming love, on the 14 of February, 1813, in the 59 year of his age.

No one could have had the happiness and the honour of his friendship and acquaintance without loving and revering him; he was so mild, so amia