this, and in seeking ministerial qualifications; but my strength failed. Felt in something of a quiet, happy, dependent frame during the public services, especially during the ordaining prayer."

It is peculiarly gratifying to peruse such a record as this last paragraph contains, of the state of his mind on this most solemn and eventful occasion. That a mind so highly susceptible, and so frequently borne down to the very dust by its overwhelming sense of ministerial responsibility, should be preserved in this "quiet, happy, dependent frame," while in the act of assuming the most weighty and momentous of all trusts ever committed to man—of consummating that sacred connection which was to affect the everlasting weal or wo of numerous undying souls-can be ascrib ed to nothing but the special favor of God. It should be noticed in honor of His faithfulness, who will not desert his devoted servants in any trying emergency. In anticipation of this crisis, and under the responsibilities of the labors which were conducting him to it, he had habitually cast his burden upon the Lord; and by the Lord was that burden sustained. His mind was kept in peace, for it was stayed on God.

"A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps." Mr. Payson went to Portland with no expectation, probably, of making that his permanent residence, but merely to supply, temporarily, Mr. Kellogg's pulpit. Mr. K. undoubtedly had a further design in procuring his assistance, even from the first; but its accomplishment was suspended on circumstances yet to be developed, and it could not, therefore, be properly disclosed. But when, on experiment, he saw the young preacher's labors so well received

by the people, and so evidently blessed, he spared no endeavors to retain his valuable services, which he showed himself willing to do at the expense of any reasonable sacrifice.

The ordination sermon was preached by his venerable father, founded on 1 Tim. 5: 22, Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins, and well illustrated the apostle's "caution against introducing persons suddenly into the ministry, and the reason with which that caution is enforced."

CHAPTER VIII.

His concern for his flock-reverse in his temporal prospects— is taken from his work by sickness.

MR. PAYSON had already exhibited an interest in the welfare of souls, and a desire for their salvation, so great as to seem almost incapable of increase; but, as soon as the pastoral relation was consummated, he regarded those committed to his oversight with an appropriating, an endearing love, which identified their interests and happiness with his own.

"Dec. 17, 1807. Was favored with freedom and assistance in writing and prayer, and felt a strong love for the people of my charge. In the evening attended a meeting of those who are under concern, and had some assistance.

"Dec. 18. Felt in a sweet, dependent frame, and had liberty to cast myself and parish upon God.

"Dec. 19. Awoke twice, after a day of excessive fatigue, drenched in a profuse sweat, and concluded that my time was short.

"Dec. 20. Sabbath. Extremely weak. Felt as if I could not preach. In the afternoon preached an occasional sermon, and was wonderfully carried through. Blessed be God!

"Dec. 21. Had a sweet season in prayer. My soul felt strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. I longed to spend and be spent in his service, and wondered at his astonishing goodness to such an unworthy wretch. Spent the whole day in visiting, with some profit and pleasure. In the evening talked to a number of people on the nature of religion. After returning, found myself much exhausted. Feel convinced that I am in a consumption, and may as well die as cease my exertions."

His illness continued severe for several days, so that he was directed by his physician to keep within. He enjoyed, on the whole, much quietness and resignation, but says, "I longed to be abroad among my people." Dec. 26, ten days after his ordination, he expectorated blood, and "viewed it as his death-warrant, but felt tolerably calm and resigned." Three days later, however, he is found preaching an evening lecture.

The calamities occasioned by the aggressions of foreign belligerents, and by the restrictions imposed on commerce by our own government, fell at this time with peculiar weight upon the inhabitants of Portland. The darkest season through which the United States have passed since their independence, had now commenced. The distresses of the times are the subject of frequent allusion by Mr. Payson in his diary, and are thus described in a letter to his parents dated

"Portland, Dec. 28, 1807. "When my dear father was here, he observed that my prospects were almost too happy for this world. They were so, it appears; for they are now as unfavorable, humanly speaking, as they were then flattering. The prospect of war has produced here such a scene of wretchedness as I never before witnessed. A large number of the most wealthy merchants have already failed, and numbers more are daily following, so that we are threatened with universal bankruptcy. Two failures alone have thrown at least three hundred persons, besides sailors, out of employ; and you may hence conceive, in some measure, the distress which the whole number must occasion. The poorhouse is already full, and hundreds are yet to be provided for, who have depended on their own labor for daily bread, and who have neither the means of supporting themselves here, nor of removing into the country. Many, who have been brought up in affluence, are now dependent on the cold courtesy of creditors for a protection from the inclemency of the sea son. These things, however, are but the beginning of sorrows. As soon as the news of these failures reach

-, every man there, who has a hundred dollars owing to him in Portland, will send down to secure it and the general stagnation of business is such, that a man who is possessed of ten thousand dollars, in real or personal estate, may not be able to answer a demand of five hundred, though it were to save him from ruin. If these times continue, nine tenths of the people here will be scattered to the four winds. All confidence is lost; no man will trust his neighbor; but every one takes even his brother 'by the throat, say

ing, Pay me that thou owest.' But I cannot describe, and I doubt whether you can conceive, of the distress

we are in.

"And now you will, perhaps, be grieved at this sudden blast of all my fine prospects, and cry, 'Poor Edward!' But you never had more reason to rejoice on my behalf, and to cry, 'Rich Edward!' than now; for, blessed be God, my portion does not stand on such tottering foundations as to be shaken by these commotions. My dear parents, my dear sister, do not feel one emotion of sorrow on my account, but rather join with me in blessing God that he keeps me quiet, resigned, and even happy, in the midst of these troubles. I do not pretend not to feel them, however. All my worldly hopes are apparently destroyed; and many of those who are now ready to be turned into the streets are the dearest friends I have here; not to mention the distress of the poor, who will, in human probability, soon be in a starving condition. In these circumstances it is impossible not to feel. Still, if God is pleased to afford me the same degree of support which he has hitherto, I shall be more happy than ever I was. I thought I knew before, that this world was treacherous, and its enjoyments transitory; but these things have taught me this truth so much plainer, and weaned me so much the more from creature dependences, that I desire to consider them among my chief mercies. It has long been my prayer, that if God had any worldly blessings in store for me, he would be pleased to give me grace instead of them, or change them into spiritual blessings; and now he begins to grant my request. I am sorry for H.'s disappointment, and my own inatility to assist pa' out of his difficulties, which I once