NEW-YORK.

rity.-May thy setting sun go down with increased brightness, is the sincere desire of,

These expressions of respect have been transcribed, to give the reader an idea of what was the Doctor's usual way of improving time in private intercourse with his friends, and of his peculiar faculty to conciliate the esteem of young persons, and to rivet in their minds instructive or pointed apothegms.

Men engaged in public life frequently complain of indisposition, but while they appear to be tolerably well, or continue to discharge their duties, their complaints are but little heeded by many, or excite but little sympathy. The effect which those anxieties, produced by certain domestic circumstances, or by their official responsibilities, or as is sometimes the case, by both together-not to mention their labours,-can have upon the best human constitution, is not considered. Their anxieties and their labours are scarcely thought of—and that is laughed at, as a mere imaginary or vaporish affection, which is, in fact, a real indisposition, and without due care, may terminate in some dangerous disease. The Doctor rarely knew what it was to

be in perfect health, or entirely free from ailment : the pressure of his numerous cares and employments, of a public and private nature, he often felt very sensibly to be too great for his strength: he was at times much debilitated, and afflicted with a pain in his breast; but the Lord enabled him to hold on his work, and he was seldom so very unwell as to be compelled to intermit his regular service in the pulpit.

About the close of 1792, his labours were considerably augmented, in consequence of the serious indisposition of his colleague, Dr. Linn, who was threatened with pulmonic disease, and obliged, therefore, for a season, to desist from preaching. In a letter to Dr. R-, of January, 1793, he thus noticed the occurrence: "May the Lord Jesus become more precious to your soul, and you rejoice in a full assurance of his love! With respect to myself, I bless his holy name, I am strengthened in weakness, and enabled to hold on, with a desire to be found faithful until death. I am sorry to inform you, that my dear colleague, Linn, has some very unfavourable symptoms, which have greatly alarmed

us.

About four weeks ago, he began to spit some blood mixed with his saliva. This is considered by his physicians as an intimation of an approaching consumption, and requires great attention and care.

He has not preached since the first appearance of that symptom; and it is to be feared he will not preach in some length of time. What the consequence will be, cannot be foreseen, but it is conjectured his future health and labours are very precarious."

In another, dated May 4th, 1793, to the same, he observed—“ I have had very steady, and considerable heavy service, the whole winter and spring. Dr. Linn expects to preach to-morrow morning, for the first time, since the beginning of last December." In another of May 11th: "My labours, the winter and spring past, have been increased and uniform, without any intermission. Last Lord's-day, Dr. Linn preached for the first time. His health appears to be restored, and I hope there is a prospect of his doing well, without any danger of relapses."And again, in one written the following August: "I greatly sympathize with the destitute congregations, and trust the Lord will send labourers in his harvest soon, to supply our numerous vacancies. There are five or six now with me, who are diligent in their studies, and of whom we may hope much good. I most sincerely wish it was in my power to do greater justice to them; but, while incumbered with the full weight of the parochialia, it is utterly

impossible.* Perhaps it may please the Lord to di rect, in his good providence, and in his own time, what shall answer our desire."

It was impossible for him, in present circumstances, to give that attention to professoral duties, which his own sense of their intrinsic importance, and a due regard to the improvement of the young gentlemen under his care, prompted him to render and the General Synod, at length, became convinced that it was necessary to adopt some measures, that would place their professor in a situation to be more devoted to the appropriate business of his office. Accordingly, at a meeting of the Synod, held in Albany, June, 1794, the subject of the Professorate was taken into serious consideration, and a committee, of which Dr. T. Romeyn was chairman, was appointed, "to consult and report upon the same." The report submitted was adopted by the Synod, and shall be presented here without abridgement. It was as follows:

"1. That it is high time to bring this important matter to a conclusion. Ten years have elapsed

* His other colleague (Dr. Kuypers) at this time preached only in the Dutch language.

since the professor was appointed, and no effective arrangements have yet been made to enable him to fulfil the duties of his appointment. The place where the Divinity-Hall is to be opened; the salary to be allowed the professor; and some productive measures to ensure a sufficient fund, ought, without further delay, to be now determined."

"2. That to establish an union of the professorate with Queen's College, which has hitherto been judged practicable and advisable, it is the opinion of the Committee, that it will be necessary to remove the College from its present situation, and bring it to some place more accessible, and nearer to the great body of the churches, which lie in the northern parts of the State of New-York: your Committee, therefore, recommend, that it should be fixed at the town of Bergen, or at such other place, still farther to the North, in the State of New-Jersey, as may be agreed upon between the Trustees of the College and the General Synod."

"3. That to effect this removal of the College, a Committee be appointed on the part of this General Synod, to confer with the Trustees of the College, and endeavour to persuade them to relinquish the present place in which the College is fixed,