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"These, and what I might still add, if these were not sufficient, have induced me to prefer the last to both the former plans. The difficulties which occur, are, indeed, not small; they are few in number, but of great weight. The one is, it will unavoidably take up some time, at least two years, before any thing of importance can be done towards this establishment. The other is, we have not funds equal to the task; and we shall need the advice of our wisest friends, to point out a method for obtaining a sum sufficient to maintain a professor in theology, and in the oriental languages."

"I have already said that I was not fixed in my views respecting this affair;-at least, not so fixed but that I stand open for conviction, and wish to obtain all the light which can be thrown upon the object, before I determine in what manner my vote or small influence shall direct. Upon discoursing with Mr. Romeyn, I found him fully convinced that what I have last considered was the proper line of conduct for us; and his arguments have not a little conduced to establish my mind upon this plan. It is the interest of the Redeemer's cause we have at heart. Our hands must do what we are called to with all our might. An effectual and peculiarly exclusive door is now opened for service.

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not at rest. Our united efforts and blessings, as answers to prayer from the throne, may fix an esta blishment that shall make glad the city of our God for ages yet to come."

The conjectures he formed, as to the arrangements that would be made in behalf of the literary institutions mentioned, and the views of church policy he expressed in this letter, were singularly judicious; and it must be acknowledged, that they prove him to have been a man of an enlightened and comprehensive mind, and, however devoted to the best interests of his own Church, of a catholic spirit.

To a distressing and protracted time of war succeeded at length, in the good providence of that God who ruleth among the nations, a time of peace. By His blessing upon the arms of America, every mountain became a plain before her Zerubbabel, and the top stone of her liberties was brought forth with the exulting shouts of thousands. Verily, there is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength; but they that are engaged in a righteous cause and look to the Lord for help, through him shall do va

*Ps. xxxiii. 16.

liantly; for He it is that shall tread down their enemies.* And truly it may be said, that if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us, then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us.†

The long and arduous conflict between Great Britain and this country, was brought to a close in the year 1783.

Provisional articles of peace had been signed at Paris in the latter part of the preceding year, and as soon as intelligence of the fact reached here, all hostilities ceased. A number of the exiles ventured forthwith to re-occupy their former dwellings; but they did not generally return, until after an event, the anniversary of which has been celebrated ever since the evacuation of the city by the British troops, on the twenty-fifth of November, 1789.

About this time, Doctor Livingston came back to resume his pastoral charge, and commenced a laborious course of ministeral duty.

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CHAPTER. VIÏ.

FROM THE RESUMPTION OF HIS PASTORAL CHARGES
AT THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
TILL THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE CHURCH, IN 1792.

The first interview between Doctor Livingston and his flock, upon their return to New-York, after so long a separation, must have been attended with mingled emotions of joy and sorrow.

On the one hand, the successful termination of the war, with the glorious results in prospect-the re-possession of their former habitations,—a sight again of those venerable temples in which they had so often raised the voice of supplication and praise, and a sight of each other, as preserved through all the vicissitudes and perils of seven eventful years, were circumstances which could not but awaken in every breast the most pleasurable feelings. But, on the other hand, the many sad events which had taken place in a number of families, and some of which, perhaps, had not been extensively known or heard of before,-traces of the outrages committed by the enemy, visible in many parts of

the city, the ruinous state of several places of worship, which had been most wantonly abused, and among which were the Middle and North Churches-the one having been first a prison and then a riding school, the other a prison, and neither exhibiting under the sacrilegious treatment it had received, much of the appearance of a house of God, as the interior had been entirely destroyed ;these circumstances, together with that of the loss BOTH had sustained in the death of the late loved and excellent Laidlie, and were now forcibly reminded of,* must have made the occasion one, not less of mutual condolence than of mutual congra tulation.

The old Church in Garden-street, being found uninjured, was, in the month of November, immediately after the Doctor's return, re-opened for

*This much esteemed and devoted servant of Christ, died at Red Hook, in the year 1780, of a pulmonary disease.

The two Dutch ministers, though still living, did not come back to the city to reside. Mr. Ritzema, remained at Kinderhook, and Mr. De Ronde settled at Schaticoke, a place Northeast of Albany. They were both too far advanced in life to resume the responsibilities of the pastoral connexion in such a city, and the Consistory of the Church, with their accustomed liberality, granted to each an annuity of £200 during life.

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