CHAPTER XVII.

A pleasant trait of character.-Letter to one who had long been a member of his family.-Letter to children.-Letter to a nephew.-Letter to children.-Ordination of missionaries.-Letter to a nephew.

ONE pleasant trait of character in Mr. Hallock was the deep interest which he manifested in the welfare of his domestics,--a class of persons, not always sure of marked kindness, even in families of reputed piety. In the course of his life, with the concurrence of his worthy partner, he took several children and trained them up to manhood. Seldom was he without one or two of this description, whom he treated with so much parental affection and care, that a stranger could distinguish them from his own children, only by their features. And even after they went out from his roof, the strength of his affection and solicitude for their souls did not subside. Sometimes, on the day of their departure, he noted in his journal, his sense of unfaithfulness and his deep regret. Often did he speak of them, afterwards, with the tones of a father; and it was his uniform practice to address to them now and then, an affectionate and paternal letter. One of these letters may here be introduced. It was written to Mr. J. M- of the city

of New-York, who had lived in Mr. Hallock's family from the age of four to that of twenty-two

years.

"Jan. 19, 1819.

"OUR DEAR CHILDREN-We thank you for your kind letter by Mr. H. H

We are always glad to

hear from you, and of your welfare; and to learn that you do not forget us, as we cannot forget you. It gave us no little joy, to hear that you were blessed with an infant son. The lives of infants, especially of those so small, are a brittle thread. But that God who gives them, can preserve and raise them. We pray in respect to yours, that it may live-that you may be prepared for such a mercy-be enabled to give yourselves and babe to the Lord, and do your duty towards him according to the word; that he may be an obedient child, a comfort to you, useful in the world, a blessing in Zion; and that both the child and his parents may be blessed of the Lord. But, if you should be called to part with it by death, in its infancy, childhood, or youth, as many have been, O may you be prepared and enabled from the heart to bless the Lord in taking as well as in giving. Should the Lord of his great mercy restore the mother to health, and spare all your lives, do try to come and see us as soon as you can, and bring the little one with you. But should you be preserved to come, who of us would be alive to see you, we know not; for we are truly sojourners, and our days on the earth are like the passing shadow. There were twenty-six deaths in Canton, the past year,-some of all ages. It was frequently the case, that some one, at a funeral in health, was the next carried to the grave. Truly the Son of Man came among us, the last year, in a way and at an hour we knew not. The

text for the new-year was this: O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!' Indeed, we are pilgrims, and the life of man in this world is called a way. Our latter end is the close of life, to which the way we now go will lead. We read of two ways;-the narrow path whose end is life, and the eternal salvation of the soul; and the broad road of sin which endeth in eternal death. Now, if one, on a journey in a literal sense, should, though instructed and warned, heedlessly take a road in the morning, which, however easy, pleasant and inviting at the beginning, would yet end at sunset, in reproach, complete poverty and wretchedness; all would consider such a traveller as void of wisdom, and would exclaim against his folly. But if the traveller should consider, and take that road in the morning, which, though at first more rough, stony, hilly and unpleasant, would yet end at sunset in honor, safety, fulness, and happiness; who would not esteem such a man wise, and speak of his great wisdom. And now, my dear children, for whom I daily try to pray, let us be as wise in spiritual things. We know, that Jesus and his blessed Gospel are the way to life, whatever reproach, crosses and difficulties may now attend it;-but the way of this selfish, prayerless, impenitent, unbelieving and disobedient world endeth in eternal woes, however pleasing it may now appear to an eye of sense. Consider these lines, and the Lord give you understanding in all things. Farewell.

"From your affectionate parents,

"JEREMIAH AND MERCY HALLOCK."

To his son in Ohio.

"Jan. 19, 1819.

"Though feeble and many times ready to faint, I am enabled to study, and to preach on the Sabbath and at other times; and for aught I know, to usual acceptance. No place is so agreeable to me as my study, and it is often delightsome to read, write, &c. The world has truly almost slidden from under me, and is fast sliding away; and I think my only hope and support is the precious Jesus and his blessed Gospel. You, my Jeremiah, are now in your twentyninth year; and should you live, you will not only soon be in the decline of life, but where I am, advanced, and the world all slidden, or fast sliding from under you. And I often think, what will my children do, when this approaching period shall arrive; or, if they should find themselves by sickness or other means, on their dying bed, and all the solemnities of the Judgment at the door? Nothing can then, as I know by experience, be able to afford the least support, but the consolations of Jesus."

From a letter, dated June 7, 1819, to his nephew, now Secretary of the A. T. S. three months before the time of his graduating at Williams College.

"The account you give of the awakening in Williamstown, as well as in other plares, is wonderful and interesting. I am more and more convinced by the word and I think by experience, that we are

by nature destitute of holiness, carnal, sold under sin. Hence, in need, perishing need of the new birth, or of Christ as our sanctification and Savior from wrath-yea, as our life and all in all. How it is with you, I know not. The day is approaching, when you expect to leave college, and turn your thoughts on some profession. It is, therefore, a most interesting period to you, as well as to your parents, and also to me. How soon, have your four years at college passed away! and how short is our period of probation on earth, even at the longest! I trust I pray, that you may, first of all, give your heart and your whole self unto the Lord Jesus, whose we of right are—whose yoke is easy and burden light. It is my desire to have you study divinity, and wear yourself out in the good work of the Gospel. Such I know is the wish of your parents. But we must love and serve Christ, let our profession be what it may, in order to be accepted of him, both now and when he cometh. Farewell.

"Your affectionate uncle, &c."

To his son in Ohio.

"July 8, 1819.

"Our dear children, often thought of, and longed for. We were not a little affected to learn the poor state of your health, and have endeavored daily to remember you in our prayers. You think your disorder is of the nervous kind. Soon after I was set