the Island was occasioned by the decease of a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Rowland, rector of the parish. This discourse was greatly admired, and a vacancy occurring in the rectorship soon after, he was immediately selected as the successor. By the prudent step above narrated he was enabled, without alienating in any degree the confidence and affection of his former flock, to accept this call; and he accordingly entered upon his new charge in October,

1789.

The beautiful and romantic island, which was the scene of his ministerial labours for so many years, situated at the mouth of the harbour of New York, is about fifteen miles in length and about ten miles in breadth, and is one of the most lovely and attractive places of residence that can be found in the vicinity of that emporium of our country. At the time of Dr. Moore's removal to it the whole island was comprised in the parish entrusted to his charge. He was then in the prime and vigour of life, and the field was admirably adapted to give full scope to the ardent zeal and untiring energy which in him were consecrated to the work of the Gospel. Most assiduously did he cultivate that field for more than twenty years; and by the divine blessing upon his faithful labours much fruit was produced in the salvation of souls, the extension of the church, and the advancement of the glory of God.

At the present time the parish of St. Andrew's, Staten Island, is one of the wealthiest, and affords one of the largest ecclesiastical livings to be found in the Union. But fifty-three years ago its faithful and indefatigable rector, by reason of the smallness of the salary, felt, in common with the majority of his clerical brethren then and since, the "res angustæ domi," to such an extent as to be compelled to resort to different expedients for making such an addi

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tion to his slender stipend as would enable him to meet the wants of his growing family. At one time he practised medicine in connexion with his ministerial duties: but the frequent demands for his medical services so materially interfered with his clerical labours, that he was soon compelled to relinquish the practice. For about seven years, in compliance with an invitation from the vestry of the church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, he officiated once a fortnight in that parish. At the close of that period, in 1800, the chapel was built on the north side of Staten Island, and to the advancement of religion at that point, he subsequently devoted a portion of his time and labours. In the year 1793 he commenced a school which he continued to instruct until 1802. The secular employments he engaged in, innocent as they were in themselves, and benevolent in their influence, were of course unsuited to the taste of one who desired to "wait on the Lord without distraction," and to be wholly given up to the work of saving souls in the ministry of the Gospel: and we may be sure that nothing would have reconciled him even to a temporary engagement in them, but the necessity of thus providing for the comfort of those beloved ones whom Providence had made dependent on him for their support.

In few men have the feelings of paternal interest and affection been so strong and vivid as they were in the heart of Dr. Moore. His love for his children began with their birth, and suffered no diminution after they had reached the years of maturity. The same deep interest in their welfare, which marked his character as the parent of a few infant children, still glowed in the bosom of the hoary headed patriarch, who could look around upon his numerous family settled in life as heads of their respective households

and the current of affection which came in warm

and gushing streams from the heart, descended in its free flowings to his children's children. We have seen some of his letters to his children, written about the time of which we now speak, which afford beautiful illustrations of this lovely trait in his character, and show the tender workings of a heart ever yearning for the temporal and spiritual welfare of his offspring.

The following specimens of his domestic correspondence, addressed to two of his daughters, who were spending some time with their aunt, Mrs. Davis, at Stratford, Connecticut, will be gratifying to the reader.

Glebe, Staten Island, June 29, 1802.

Your acceptable favour, my dear Crissy, came duly to hand, and afforded me that pleasure which your filial attentions have ever produced in my mind. A variety of duties have prevented me from attending to your communications as immediately as I could have wished, but my silence, I trust, has not been misconstrued by my daughter into a forgetfulness of parental obligation. My children share largely in my regard, and, I hope, by their virtuous behaviour, will prove a source of great happiness to their fond father. There is not an hour in which you are not the subject of my thoughts! Oh, let me beseech you both, to listen to the counsel and advice of your dear aunt, and to profit from her maternal admonitions. She is closely connected to you, and, I am sensible, will perform, with cheerfulness, every duty attached to that connexion; remember how much my peace and comfort is dependent upon your conduct. My children have the happiness of their father at command, and it rests with them to make my life a scene of comfort, or to involve me in inexpressi

ble distress. Behave well, and no exertions shall be wanting, within the reach of my abilities, to render you happy. I have been labouring hard for years to procure you some little support, in case it should please God to wrest me from your embrace; and you shall never want that aid whether I am spared or taken away, which it is in my power to confer upon you. I mention this circumstance in order to establish in your minds that claim which I have to your regard, and to show you that you are bound in justice, as well as duty, to contribute to my happiness. Keep the example of your amiable mother in view, and endeavour to imitate her virtues. Tread in her steps, and you will secure to yourselves the approbation of your fellow mortals, and the unspeakable pleasures of a quiet mind! Neglect not the performance of those duties which you owe to your Creator and Redeemer. Let your prayers be regularly offered up to the throne of divine grace, and show forth the praises of your God "not only with your lips, but in your lives." Be attentive to your aged grandfather, do every thing that will contribute to his comfort, and nothing that will give him the least pain; live in love and unity with your dear cousins, and be obedient to your aunt. I hope soon to hear from you both, and to find your letters correct, and well written. Perhaps I shall see you next month.

Present my best regards to your grandpapa, your aunt, and cousins, and believe me, my dear girls, with the sincerest regard,

Your friend and father,

RICHARD CHANNING MOORE.

P. S. Your mamma and brother send their love and respects to you, and to sister Davis' family. Give my brotherly regards to Mr. Baldwin, to whom I beg you to be

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respectful. I hope that you devote a part of every day to the improvement of your minds. Any assistance that you may require with respect to dress or pocket money, your aunt will be pleased to supply you with, and I will repay her at our first interview.

My Dear Children,-Before I parted with you at Stratford, we had entered into an arrangement of an epistolary nature and you both promised that I should hear from you once in a fortnight: but notwithstanding your firm assurances, upwards of two months have elapsed, and only two letters have reached the island. If you were ignorant of those numerous duties in which I am involved, I should think that my daughters stood upon ceremony with their father; but as you are both sensible how little leisure time possess, I cannot allow the thought a place in my bosom. The fact must be, that each of you have written at least half a dozen letters, but through the neglect of the postmaster, they have failed in obtaining their destination; this being the case, my children have performed their duty, and it would be cruel in me to attach the least blame to either of them. I would advise you, however, to speak to the post-master, in order that he may take proper measures' to prevent a similar disappointment. Your dear brother passed the holidays with us. He enjoys good health, and appears to be pleased with his studies. His behaviour secures to him the good opinion of all my friends, and numbers have expressed the warmest interest in his advancement. Unless death should deprive me of his society, I feel a high assurance that he will prove a source of very considerable comfort to me. Virtue and discretion form our road to happiness; the youth who is attentive to their impressive dictates, will always preserve his own mind in