duct he afterwards held and pursued, on great national questions. Whatever judgment any may entertain respecting the expediency of some of the measures of 1775 and 6, all know that the true patriot, of whom we speak, dreaded the mad rage of uncontrolled power. This is confirmed by his uniform and explicit attachments, in reference to the course of policy, which has agitated and still agitates our country. He loved the men, he advocated the measures, which seek order with freedom.

"Of all good designs, for the advancement of sound knowledge and useful improvement, he was a ready and efficient promoter. He was among the founders of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was one of the counsellors, from its establishment in 1780, until his decease.

66

Though he devoted so much time to the publick, he was yet much with his family; and as a companion and a father he was affectionate, provident, exemplary, and endeared. His attachments, publick and private, were very warm and sincere. Of most active mind, and social dispositions, he cheered the circle of kindred, friendship, and neighbourhood. He read much and thought much; his knowledge was extensive and well digested; his memory retentive and ready; his wisdom was all practical and operative. Of regular and temperate habits, and cheerful temper, he was spared to a good old age; he enjoyed his faculties unimpaired to the last; retained his interest in his friends and country; its religious, civil, and literary institutions; rejoiced

in its good, lamented its delusions, was impressed with its dangers, prayed for its peace.

"He was the friend of christianity and its ministers. Religion was with him a sentiment, as well as a system. It was operative in his life and at his death. He bore successive bereavements as became a man and a christian. He died like a hero and a saint. Leaving his affectionate blessing to survivers, his exit was that of the righteous; firm in faith, cheerful in hope."

PEPPERELL, MASS.

633. Note. The rev. JOSEPH EMERSON, of Pepperell, was a son of the rev. Joseph Emerson of Malden. He was graduated, at Harvard college, in 1743, and, like his pious father, was a faithful, zealous, and successful preacher of the gospel. The author of this Collection has no documents to aid in preparing such a memoir, as the excellence of mr Emerson's character would require. The following anecdote, however, he had, in substance, from the late venerable mr. Edward Emerson of York, a brother of the subject of this article.

At an early period after the settlement of Pepperel, mr. Emerson, who was ordained there and who was instant in season and out of season in dispensing the truths of the gospel, appointed a lecture, on a certain time, in the outskirts of the township, at the house of a parishioner. Thither, after the labours of the day a number of his parochial charge resorted for religious worship and instruction. The

principal theme of meditation was the duty, importance, and advantages of family prayer.

When the little assembly had retired, the good woman of the house, where the exercises had been performed, who was indeed a help meet to her husband, said to him, that she hoped he would no longer omit a duty, which had been so forcibly inculcated. Are you not convinced, my dear, said she, that we have too long neglected this reasonable service? Let us now begin, and let us daily pursue the duty of calling our children and domesticks around us, while we unite in prayer to God for them and for ourselves. Let us, henceforth, resolve with Joshua that, as for us and our house, we will serve the Lord. After various kindly suggestions and exhortations of this kind to enforce the sentiments she entertained upon the subject, she made an excellent beginning.

Having called the members of their domestick circle together, she took the Bible, and read a chapter. Her husband, overcome by her tender entreaties in connection with the conclusive reasoning of their faithful minister, rose, and, for the first time, prayed with his family! It is worthy of further and special remark, that, ever after, the morning and evening sacrifice of prayer and praise continually as cended from their family altar, their house became a Bethel, and they were distinguished for their pious and exemplary life and conversation. A word filly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

BEDFORD, MASS.

She was consort of

634. In memory of madam SARAN STEARNS, who died, 2 April, 1808, in the 77 year of her age. the late rev. JOSIAH STEARNS, minister of Epping, N. H. who died, 25 July, 1788, aged 57 years, and in the 31 of his ministry. Firm believers in the gospel of Christ, they eminently lived the life of the righteous, and died in the assured hope of a glorious resurrection to immortal life.

Nole. The reverend Josiah Stearns originated from a reputable family, which came from England and fixed its abode in Watertown, Massachusetts, with the early settlers of that place. That branch of this family, from which he proceeded, removed to Billerica, when mostly a wilderness, where several lineal descendants still reside.

Mr. Stearns was born, in Billerica, of worthy and pious parents, in January, 1732. At the usual age, he was put to school, where he soon discovered such powers of mind, diligence in application, and sobriety of conduct, as attracted the special notice of his instructer and induced him to urge upon his parents the expediency of giving him a liberal education. His kindly suggestion had the desired effect.

At the age of fifteen years, mr. Stearns was ad

mitted an alumnus of Harvard college and received his baccalaureate in 1751. From his first entering on a course of classical studies, to become a minister of the gospel was his sole object. To this he had been solemnly devoted by his pious parents; and, on leaving the university, commenced his theological studies preparatory to the important work. At the age of about 21, he began to preach to very great and general acceptance. The eyes of many in different places were soon fixed upon him as their intended pastor; but, not feeling himself prepared, at that early period, to take the charge of a parish, he declined, for a while, preaching as a candidate for settlement, and employed himself in occasional ministerial labours, in the further prosecution of his theological studies, and, at the same time, in teaching a school.

During this season, he married Sarah Abbot, of Andover, a lady of a respectable family and of exemplary piety, by whom he had six children, three sons and three daughters. After much serious reflection and prayerful inquiry, the path of duty was made plain to him. Relying on divine help, he now resolved to enter on the momentous duties of a parochial charge, wherever God in his providence should see fit to point the way.

In a short time he received a call from three dif ferent places, where he had previously officiated. Epping, in New Hampshire, then the last in his mind, in point of eligibility, was the region designed by the great Head of the church for his subsequent