Le was satisfied with a moderate estate, while the publick and individuals were richly privileged by his most unremitting labours. He may justly be regretted as a loss to the publick in his useful profession and be propounded to those of the same calling, as an example of integrity, justice, and moderation, worthy their diligent imitation. Furnished with eminent abilities for publick business, he was early called by the suffrages of the town to serve as a representative in the general court. With a few intermissions, from an ill state of health, he sustained that honourable and useful station for more, than thirty years. He was long distinguished for his probity, his inflexible regard to the rights and privileges of his country. He was celebrated for his many indefatigable patriotick virtues and exertions. With a reputation untarnished in the high station, in which he moved, with an unequalled perseverance, with an acuteness of penetration and a masterly eloquence, he, for many years, gave direction to publick measures; and was the first promot❤ er and finisher of many important designs of high publick advantage. It has been alleged by many of his best acquaintances that no publick man was more regarded and followed, than our worthy deceased friend. What was singularly happy and is peculiarly advantageous to his memory, his measures were dictated by a regard to the publick interest and a warm love of country. Assemblies hang upon his lips and the violence of party was tamed by the persuasion of his eloquence. The most hardy enterprises of publick benefit were cheerfully undertaken and executed, through the strength of his reasoning and the firmness of his spirit. So that future generations will gratefully remember him as the prudent counsellor, the candid reasoner, and the irresistible orator, the friend of his country, the scourge of oppressors, and the lover of the liberties and social happiness of mankind. But all human glory is clouded with infirmities. By a deep hereditary taint he was peculiarly afflicted with gloomy and hypochondriacal affections, which, at times, rendered his conduct incoherent and his pursuits contradictory, but when exempted from these overwhelming complaints, few persons were so generally right in their objects and pursuits. To teach us the uncertainty of our noblest endowments and the duty of a diligent application of our talents to some salutary purpose we find this person of a strong and comprehensive mind at three different periods of life, for several years, under the full dominion of his hereditary indisposition, by which the cup of life was embittered, his friends greatly burdened and afflicted and the community deprived of his extensive services. Thus he, who, by the thunder of his oratory, shook the assembly of the ancients, was often, by the force of melancholy, reduced below the common level of his brethren. The last season of this conquering malady, aggravated with heavy paralytick complaints, has brought him down to the dust of death, where he rests from his labours and his works do follow him." NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 487. Note.-The rev. DAVID BRAINERD, a son of the hon. Hezekiah Brainerd of Haddam, in Connecticut, died, at the house of the rev Jonathan Edwards, in Northampton, on the 9 of October, 1747, having centered his 30 year. A horizontal slab, of freestone, supported by pillars, was placed over his precious remains, and is still to be seen. The inscription, however, is at present unknown. It was cut on an inlet of schistus, which, many years since, was totally destroyed by the frost. The subject of this article was greatly distinguished by the indefatigable, pious, and successful ministerial services ke performed among the poor aboriginal natives of this country. No one ever had more of the right spirit for a missionary, than mr. Brainerd. For a time, notwithstanding his zeal and happy talents for an employment, which engrossed the powers of his body and mind, he met with great discouragements in his arduous endeavours for the salvation of the heathen; yet, at length, his importunate prayers were wonderfully answered, his labours were blest, and multitudes, who were perishing for lack of vision, were brought out of pagan darkness into the glorious light of the gospel. The wilderness, which had, for ages, resounded with the dismal powwows of superstition, was made to echo to the sweet notes of redeeming love and to rejoice and blossom like the rose. The account of mr. Brainerd's life, sufferings, labours, and death, written in a plain unvarnished style and published by mr. Edwards, is, to the fo!lowers of Jesus, one of the most interesting works, which this country has ever produced. 488. HADLEY, MASS. Reverend RUSSELL'S remains, who first gathered and, for 33 years, faithfully governed the flock of Christ in Hadly til the cheif Shepherd suddenly but mercifully called him off to receive his reward, in the 66 year of his age, 10 December, 1692. Note.-Goffe and Whalley, two of the regicides, were concealed from the rage of their pursuers, for: several years, in the rev. mr. Russell's cellar. One of them was there, for a long time, and was so carefully screened from the publick eye, that none of mr. Russell's neighbours had any knowledge of the circumstance. The tradition is, that, on a certain occasion, when the town was beset by Indians, an aged man, of a remarkably venerable as pect, with a long beard, white as the driven snow, suddenly, rushed into the engagement, fought with wonderful adroitness, animated the soldiers by his cheering language and valiant conduct, was of essential service in repelling the enemy, and immediately withdrew, they knew not whither. It was re-ported that an angel had appeared, with a sword like that of Gideon and the Lord, had headed thei army, and had given them the victory. HADLEY, MASS. 489. Here lies interred the body of the rev. ISAAC CHAUNCY, pastor of the first church of Christ in Hadley, who was of a truly peaceable and catholick spirit, a good scholar, an eloquent orator, an able divine, a lively, pathetick preacher, a burning and shining light in this candlestick, an exemplary christian, an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile. He departed this life, 2 May, A. D. 1745, ætat. 74. HADLEY, MASS. 490. Here rests the body of the rev. mr. CHESTER WILLIAMS, in whom bright parts, solid learning, unfeigned piety, happy elocution, universal benevolence, hospitality, and christian love combined to form the exemplary pastor, the kind husband, the tender parent, the dutiful companion, and the faithful friend, who departed this life, 13 October, 1755, ætat. 36. HADLEY, MASS. 491. Here rests the body of the hon. ELEAZER PORTER, esq. a lover of his country and universally benevolent. He |
