Memoir of Rev. Joseph Badger Part 8

Thus ended our conversation. The next day, I understood that this gentleman, in speaking of the communion, (he was of the Baptist faith,) said that it was 'absurd to think of feeding swine and sheep together,' which caused me to mourn that he or that any should have so little charity for other denominations. I preached in his neighborhood the same evening, [he was prevented from attending by a bad cold]

and was introduced to Mr. Rich, another clergyman of the Baptist denomination. Asking him to partic.i.p.ate in the meeting, I proceeded to speak from 1 Cor. 13: 13:--'And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.' The clergyman witnessed to the truth of my sermon. The 18th I spoke at Avon, the 19th went to Pittsford to administer baptism, the 20th enjoyed a good time in the south part of the town, the 21st had a very cold, disagreeable time at the village, the 22d enjoyed a happy fellows.h.i.+p meeting, the 23d had an excellent communion season in Pittsfield. At Briton, Mr.

Chapin, a missionary, after I had spoken, read a sermon nineteen minutes in length, in which he alleged that in Christ there are two distinct natures united, the human and the divine; that the divinity never suffered, that humanity alone was the world's saving sacrifice. No wonder that he should teach a partial and a legal salvation. The 29th I attended the funeral of an excellent young man, by the name of Dorous Burr, which had on the minds of many a solemn effect. For the first time, I met, on the 31st, Rev. Mr.

Bliss, of Avon. I think he was naturally a gentleman, though on this occasion, prejudice against a people with whom he was not acquainted had an overwhelming influence on his manners. Many questions he asked in regard to total depravity, a Triune G.o.d, the eternal G.o.dhead of Christ, and many others of the kind which are unnamed in all the Holy Scriptures. Not caring to detail a lengthy conversation, I would say that near its close he observed to me, that my system was composed of Universalism and Deism; to this I replied, that the old contradictory doctrine of fate, originally introduced by the Stoics, and afterwards cruelly applied and industriously propagated by John Calvin and his followers, was the very root and foundation of both these doctrines, and that if I was to take his statement for truth, all the difference to be found between us was this,--that Calvinism is the body of the tree, Universalism the branches, and Deism the ripe fruit, and that whilst he was the body, I was the branches and fruit; and being so nearly related, we should hesitate thoughtfully before we consented to quarrel, reminding him that in the forest body and branches never contend. After some show of clerical importance and authority, enough to remind one that if the world was ruled by narrow-minded ecclesiastics, blood might yet be shed for opinion's sake, our interview closed. On the evening of the same day, I had a good meeting at Mr.

Gould's, in which eight or ten feelingly spoke of the love of Christ, some of whom had never spoken in public before.

Here the month and the year close. I thank G.o.d for what I have seen, and for what my soul has felt in this month; and though it has been my lot this year to pa.s.s through sickness and trials of many kinds, I thank Him that at its close I feel a degree of salvation within, and I can say with Israel's king, 'Before I was afflicted I went astray.'

Through all his agencies may G.o.d aid me to live more to his glory the coming year than ever I have done. Thus end the reflections and incidents of 1816."

CHAPTER X.

LABORS AND SETTLEMENT IN WESTERN NEW YORK.

1817-18.

The opening of the New Year, 1817, as is customary on such occasions, was attended with festivities and social amus.e.m.e.nts among the young people. And the following incident will readily ill.u.s.trate the peculiar power which Mr. Badger could wield over the young, as likewise the efficiency of the Gospel as preached by him. On the first day of January he spoke to a large a.s.sembly in Pittsford, from the following very significant pa.s.sage in Ezekiel 36: 26. "A new heart also will I give you." The young people, many of them, called it the best New Year's they had ever enjoyed, and many whose conversions dated in 1816 were quickened and refreshed by the words of the new minister. Great preparations were being made for a ball in the town of Pittsford on the 9th; but it so happened that one of the princ.i.p.al managers and another influential young man were so divinely struck with the sentiments of the sermon given on New Year's Day, that all trifling, gay, or mirthful thoughts were rendered alien to their minds. Within four days they also had to speak of a sweet and rapturous bliss they had found in their newly awakened love to Christ. Instead of attending the mirth of the 9th, they sent the following letter to their companions:

"PITTSFORD, January 8, 1817.

"DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--We were members of your intended party, and antic.i.p.ated, we presume, as much pleasure as you will enjoy in our New Year's Ball; but to the joy of our hearts, within a few days G.o.d has done great things for our souls, whereof we are glad, and instead of attending the ball, we are prompted by our feelings to spend the same afternoon in solemn prayer for the welfare of our fellow youth; and whilst you are engaged in vain mirth, will you remember that we, your companions, are on our knees praying to G.o.d, the Friend of us all, for your eternal welfare? We are, with the tenderest regards and love, your friends,

"J. WADE,

"NATH. SWIFT."

The letter, it is said, was kindly received, and had a beneficial effect. Mr. B. thanks G.o.d for the happy opening of the year, and prays that it may be crowned with thousands of new-born souls. On the third, at Pittsford, Mr. Chapin, the missionary already spoken of, introduced a disputation on total depravity, which was very soon closed, as Mr.

Badger demanded that he should either state his proposition in Scripture language, or definitely explain what he meant against human nature and the human race by the words he employed, alleging that neither the words nor the idea probably intended were contained in the Oracles of G.o.d.

Thinking that Mr. B. was too severe in his demands, he desisted, with the accusation that he was unfair as a reasoner. It is but repet.i.tion to say that all these days were made golden by action, calm but incessant labor. Days and evenings his musical voice resounded on the holy themes of faith, reformation, charity, and peace on earth; many a time, as the still heavens sent down their nocturnal light and shed their holy influence all around, he returned from his precious victories over the hearts of his fellow immortals, pervaded by a love that accords with the silent glow of all that was above and about him. At his communion seasons he caused the sectary to mourn the rigidity of his creed, which did not allow him to come forward, to follow his heart, because of some dry, unvital difference in theological belief. He visits the sick, speaks occasionally in the private mansion of some friend, sometimes in the school-house, in the grove and open air, making the freest use of time and place, regarding them only as servants to his mission. At Avon, Mendon, Pittsford, Pennfield, and Lima, he continued his labors, at times administering baptism in the waters of the Genesee and its tributaries, on which occasions, as on every other where the attractions of an easy personal address give grace and impression to the scene, he was uncommonly gifted and happy. Some who had opposed him strongly, were so impressed by the solemnity of one baptismal scene, and by the remarks he there offered, as to retract, at the water's side, the hard words and speeches they had made. "I felt to forgive them," says Mr. B., "for all their unreasonable censures. At Avon I had excellent meetings the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th; the 12th, had an excellent time at Pennfield; the 13th, returned to Pittsford," and omitting to notice the several appointments that fill up the days and evenings of the month, I would only transcribe from his pages, that "the last week of the month was spent at Lima, the 19th administered baptism, the 27th attended to the holy communion, whilst the glory of G.o.d cheeringly shone in our midst, and to the end of this month our meetings were full of interest and of feeling."

Feb. 1817. A temperance sermon to a large a.s.sembly was given on the 2d; on such occasions Mr. Badger was exceedingly persuasive and appropriate.

He was almost sure to get the sympathy and hearty interest of the most fallen man in the community, could easily gain from _such_ a hearing, and at the same time edify and entertain the most elevated men. In later years, in the spring of 1842, he gave a temperance sermon in a village of central New York, where much liquor had been sold, that secured more than a hundred signers to the pledge, and that, with the additional aid of a personal interview with those who sold, actually banished the sale from every store and shop in town. He found a favorite text for such an occasion in 1 Cor. 9: 25, where St. Paul, in contrasting the Christian with the Olympian races, and in speaking of the importance of temperance for the success of each, a.s.signs the higher motive of the Christian temperance thus: "Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." He drew his temperance argument from the highest motive.

With date of Feb. 3d, I find a remarkable letter, addressed to Deacon M.

Sperry, of the Presbyterian Church, relating chiefly to the very important subject of Christian Union, which is becoming so popular a theme with the thinking and liberal part of the Christian world. In the extracts that follow, the reader will see what thoughts were common to Mr. Badger as early as 1817, and indeed earlier, for they appeared in his mind prior to his entrance upon the ministry in the autumn of 1812.

"PITTSFORD, February 3, 1817.

"DEAR BROTHER,--I am happy in inclosing a few lines to you, which I hope will be received as the fruit of Christian friends.h.i.+p. We have had some opportunity of acquaintance for a few months past, which, on my part, has been agreeable, with yourself, your family, and the church with which you stand connected. It is my motive to promulgate peace and extend happiness in society, and, so far as possible, extend a real union among all the dear disciples of Christ; and as we have become citizens of the same town, let us labor for peace; as we profess to be 'fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of G.o.d,' let us be one as the Father and the Son are one, and let love for one another be to all men the proof that we are his disciples.

"In my travels I can say with propriety that I have experienced much sorrow from the 'divisions' that exist among Christians, the party censures that are cast one upon another, and the imprudent conduct that obtains among public and private members of different churches. Such things harm 'the oil and the wine;' by them candid friends are caused to stumble in their way, and the hands of the wicked are strengthened. I have concluded, Sir, that a great amount of the divisions that now exist arose very much from tradition and the different ways in which men have been educated, though we must confess that the instructors or preachers are the princ.i.p.al cause of the divided state of the Church. The censures to which I allude flow often from ignorance, from self-righteousness, from a lack of the 'fear of G.o.d before their eyes;' and we may say that true brotherly love will remedy all the imprudent conduct by which brethren of the Christian profession annoy and perplex each other. These divisions do not arise so much from different parts of the doctrine of Christ as many imagine; but from the doctrines and commandments of men, which St. Paul, 2 Tim. 2: 23, speaks of as 'foolish and unlearned questions that do gender strifes;' questions which confuse the minds of thousands, which separate chief friends, and in which often the mind is lost in its deliberations as it turns upon subjects we cannot comprehend or understand; sometimes on things of futurity which do not immediately concern us. Thus we get lost, and the foundation is laid for Deism; and there appears the worst of fruit. It is a matter of joy to me that divisions among Christians are to end at last, 'and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd.' I do not make these observations to cast reflections on any religious people, but because these things have and do greatly occupy my mind.

"It may not be amiss for me to offer a few remarks on our present circ.u.mstances, although it is with great delicacy and tenderness that I would mention things of this nature.

Our condition, and the condition of the people in this vicinity at the present time, is very critical. I can truly say that the thought of a division among the faithful ones grieves my heart. I am unwilling that the living child should be divided. I have it in contemplation to lay before you a few propositions for your consideration, as we both have the responsible care of others, and as it is now becoming necessary that I should attend to some regulations that belong to the form of a church. I think it proper to make my feelings known to you, and I seek to know the liberty wherein you stand more perfectly, before I proceed to the organization of a church in this vicinity. I thus proceed to offer my propositions in the hope that they will meet your approbation:

"1. I propose that you and I labor to have all the disciples in this vicinity become united in one church.

"2. I propose that we appoint a time for all who profess Christ to meet and confer on this subject.

"3. We will agree not to adopt any measures, rules, or doctrines, but what are clearly exhibited in the Scriptures.

"4. We will not call ourselves by any name but such as the New Testament gives.

"5. If there are points in the Scripture on which we cannot all see alike, we will not resolve ourselves into disagreement upon them, but each shall offer his light in friends.h.i.+p on the subject, which is the only way for _truth_ to s.h.i.+ne in its various l.u.s.tre. If we form a society in this manner we shall be in a situation to receive all preachers who may find it in their way to call on us, and to receive the truth, in the love of it, from every quarter. The truth will make us free. The above are a few of many things I shall wish to converse upon when a suitable opportunity presents. With love and respect, I am your servant for Jesus' sake,

J. BADGER."

This strikes us as a n.o.ble effort at organizing into the unity of the pure religion of love and experience, the existing theological divergences of the town; and though the idea was greatly in advance of the religious culture of the persons he sought to reach, it proves the religious elevation of Mr. Badger, and his extreme unwillingness to multiply unnecessarily the number of religious organizations. That mere doctrine, or theological opinion, is not the true basis of the church; that the life of G.o.d in the soul should be a bond sufficiently strong to inclose harmoniously the honest intellectual differences of the disciples of Christ, is a truth yet destined to appear in power, in the embrace of which, a church, more truly and influentially catholic than any which has, since the days of the Apostles, figured in the ecclesiastical history of the world, will probably exhibit itself to mankind. But it strikes us as a rich phenomenon, that an idea so great in itself and in its probable results should have lived so steadily in the mind of a minister, at a time when the severe doctrines of Calvin were so widely received, and that it should find in his discourse an expression so calm and various. Many smaller men, in the possession of so great a thought would have made much ado and noise about it, but with him it easily held its place along with other important principles of religious reformation.

It would seem that Mr. Badger did not so succeed in melting down the opinional part.i.tions as to unite the whole religious community into one body, for in the following language he speaks of acknowledging a new society in the town, formed no doubt of the material created by his own recent and successful labors:--

"On the 18th we met for the establishment of a church. The persons present felt a free and a happy union. They were strong in faith. Twenty-five of us took each other by the hand in token of brotherhood and of our sacred union. We acknowledged ourselves as a church of G.o.d. Some little opposition appeared, but at the close harmony prevailed.

Weapons formed against Zion are never destined to prosper."

As early as the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th of this month, we read of his visiting and preaching in the towns of Bristol and West Bloomfield; neither of the congregations he there met having ever before heard a minister preach who professedly hailed from no other creed than the Bible--from no other distinguis.h.i.+ng name than that of Christian, and from no other test of sacred fellows.h.i.+p than Christian character. There was a commanding newness, an inspiring originality and freshness in the position he occupied, that, aside from the peculiar abilities of the man, awakened the thoughtful attention of the people. I would here remark, that the denomination--for indeed all great religious movements, however catholic in aim and spirit, do almost necessarily centralize themselves at last into denominational form--with which Mr. Badger stood connected, was the one known in the ecclesiastical history of the last half century as the Christian denomination; a name taken not from partisan pride, but from reverence to the New Testament Scriptures, which they declared were ignorant of the sectarian creeds and names of the Christian world, and which records a period in the Primitive Church when the disciples were called Christians, a usage which had its commencement under the apostolical ministry of Paul and Barnabas, in the city of Antioch, Acts 11: 26. It was taken in charity, not in exclusiveness, inasmuch as their dearest premises conceded to all who feared G.o.d and wrought righteousness, in every sect and nation, not only the name, but what is far better, the character of a Christian. I will here only say that though they allow a wide diversity of opinion, there has ever been a general unity of faith and usage among them, and that in the main, their leading views are sketched in the early opinions of Mr.

Badger; opinions formed from reason, religious experience, and Scripture revelation, before he had known of such a people. With the first years of the present century this denomination came into being; and without any one central man to act as their founder or guide, they arose in different parts of the Union simultaneously, and though unknown to each other at first, they soon were drawn into union and concert, by the magnetism of common strivings and of common truths.

At Bristol he speaks well of the courteous treatment of the Rev. Mr.

Chapman, the minister of the town, whom he describes as a man of learning; of the full attendance of the people at his appointments, the last of which was princ.i.p.ally devoted to the examination of the commonly received doctrine of election, and to those practical persuasions that grew out of his views of the individual freedom and responsibility of men.

"At West Bloomfield, on the 7th," says Mr. B., "I spoke in the evening, at the house of Mr. French, to an audience who had never before heard one of my name and sentiments preach. Mr. Hudson, a school instructor, who, as I understood, was about to enter upon the study of divinity, came to me, desirous to converse, he said, on principles, and accordingly began with a few old questions, which I judge he had already learned from some clergyman, as I have often met them in my conversations with that cla.s.s. He began in foreordination, and proceeded to the human sacrifice of Christ, as he contended that what was divine in Him did not in any respect suffer for men. The a.s.sembly that came together that evening contained several who were much prejudiced, but at the close many of them came forward and manifested great satisfaction. On the 8th I returned to Pittsford, spent there the 9th, 10th, and 11th; preached at Avon on the 12th, at Lima the 13th, at Norton's Mills the 14th; the 15th returned to Pittsford; the 18th organized the church, about which time the adversaries of the reformation took a public stand against us, spread many reports concerning the opinions and sentiments of Elias Smith, of Boston, which did us but little harm, as some of us knew as much as they about his sentiments, and as none of us felt ourselves accountable for what an individual in Boston might say or do. The 26th ordained deacons in the church, and in the evening heard Mr. Moulton, who had just returned from Ohio; the 27th, after listening to the faithful voice of Mr. Moulton, we repaired to the pure and quiet water, where I baptized seven happy converts, and on the 28th enjoyed one of the best of church meetings."

In this little nucleus his faithful watch-care centered, whilst in adjoining towns he labored like a missionary of apostolical zeal and self-sacrifice.

Parting with Mr. Moulton, March 3d, who pursued his way to Canada across the lakes, Mr. Badger started for the west; paused at Murray, now Clarendon, Orleans County, N. Y., on the 4th, to hold an evening meeting; on the 5th, rode to Hartland, Niagara County, where he addressed the people in the evening; on the 6th, starting at four o'clock in the morning, and over sleighing almost wholly gone, he advanced through drenching rain another thirty-seven miles to reach his appointment at 3 P. M., which he did without eating or drinking for the day till his end was accomplished. He said: "I was much fatigued, but this was a good day to my soul. I often find it beneficial to fast and to pray. In the afternoon the Lord's holy presence was consciously upon us. About twelve here united as a church, and in the evening we ordained W. Young to the office of deacon. As Mrs. Young desired to be baptized, I found it necessary to hold meeting at sunrise the following morning, when we met a large company to hear the preaching and to witness the baptism. I found it good to hold meeting before breakfast. In the afternoon I rode to Ogden, and in the evening addressed a respectable congregation, who were mostly Presbyterians." This month, he a.s.sisted to organize a church at Murray, which is still united and prosperous. The locality of the former church was probably at Lewiston, Niagara County, New York.

Returning to Pittsford on the 8th, he pa.s.sed several days in social conversation and public discourse with the Christians of his community, who were alive in the joy, light and peace of the kingdom of G.o.d. On the 14th he attended the funeral of Mrs. Abigail Stiles, who lacked but one day of completing twenty-three years of an honored pilgrimage on earth, and who in her sickness, as the fading world grew small and dim to her vision, longed in fervent earnestness to be more conformed to the Christ of her faith and love. For the first time since the organization of his society, the symbolic bread was broken among them on the 16th, to which many came forward who never before had honored the crucified One in the silent language of symbol. He preached at Avon on the 17th, in the residence of a leading officer in the Methodist Church, Mr. Wm. Brown; at Lima, the 19th; the 23d, attended the funeral of one of his intimate friends, Mr. J. Johnson, who had fallen instantly dead in the prime of life; and omitting the details of other appointments, perhaps it may reward the reader's glance, to consider the following lines.

"On the 28th I preached again in the town of Gates, where, on my arrival, I was introduced to a young gentleman, who appeared to feel that the world held at least one highly important person in it. In a very consequential manner he brought forward theological discussion on several subjects, which might come into the following divisions: 1. That the sufferings of Christ's humanity atoned for the sins of the world. 2. That G.o.d had foreordained whatsoever comes to pa.s.s. 3. That G.o.d is the author of sin. We conversed somewhat lengthily. But as I was repelled by his manner a great deal more than I could be attracted by his matter, I was prompted to end the conversation with a plain exhortation, in which I urged upon him humility of heart and the fear of G.o.d. We parted; and both from his words and actions I conclude 'the young man went away sorrowful.'

"At Parma had an agreeable meeting the same evening, and bidding the family of Mr. Mathers, where I had been a guest, a kind farewell, went to my appointment at Murray.

At Parma I was much pleased, on arising to preach, to see a gentleman take his seat the other side of the table, who commenced writing as soon as I began to speak. In order to put the blush upon him I offered him the candle near me, observing that in writing he would need its light, and that I could easily preach without it. This seemed to frustrate his writing, in which he did not long proceed, but before the close of the sermon his head was gently bowed, and the tears flowed freely from his eyes. At the close he came to me, and earnestly requested that I would come again. I found this gentleman to be Judge J., a man of considerable weight and note in the town. On the 20th I had a joyful meeting at the Four Corners in breaking bread to the disciples. The 31st I devoted to the western part of the town. Thus ends another month, and my soul is happy in G.o.d."

Mr. Badger continues, "The 2d of April, on which day I held two good meetings at Parma and Gates, I was invited by a messenger from Mrs. Colby, to attend the funeral of her son, the next day, who had just departed. I found it duty to stay. The next morning, accompanied by Mr. Williams, I repaired to her dwelling and found her to be a woman of sorrow and acquainted with grief, a person of respectability and good sense; through all her various sorrows she had for years lived in the exercise of religion. Of six children and of two kind husbands she had been bereaved. The a.s.sembly was large, the scene was solemn. I spoke from Jer. 9: 21: 'For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without and the young men from our streets.' On the 6th, at Pittsford, which was Sunday, after administering the communion in the morning, I gave a farewell sermon, from Acts 20: 32, as I designed to start on a long tour to the East, to meet my dearest friend, from whom I had so long been absent. I spent the week in visiting the places where I had preached; on the 13th, in the west part of the town, I administered the communion to a company of disciples, the greater part of whom I had baptized; and, on the 14th, at my own house, bade adieu to a company of friends who had come to give me their parting words of kindness. These indeed were solemn times.

Returning east, very nearly in the same line as I had come, and holding meetings by the way, I arrived at Farmington, N. H., the last day of the month, having been absent just six months to a day. I found my companion in a low state of health; we mingled our tears together in thanksgiving to G.o.d."

We have in these preceding pages a simple narrative of six months'

preaching, mostly located in the old counties of Ontario and Genesee, in the State of New York, chiefly the former; and in looking over the present religious aspects of that fine region of country, it is a remarkable fact that nearly all the churches that now flourish in these parts, hailing from the cardinal sentiments already spoken of, are on the same places and within the circle marked out by these six months'

labors. At that time the county of Ontario extended from its present southern limit over all the towns between itself and the Genesee river, including most of the towns named in these last pages of the journal.

In these six months, he, an entire stranger in the land of his labors, creates the material and organizes it, on which he is willing to rely for his future support and cooperation, and before leaving the people whom he had rallied about a common centre, which was religion based on experience, he decided to return in the summer and to establish his home in their midst. Accordingly, he made arrangements in the month of May, whilst in New Hamps.h.i.+re, to return with his family to Pittsford, N. Y., which he carried into execution in the months of June and July, not neglecting, however, his usual industry in preaching whilst in New England and on his way back to his new home, which he had provided for himself before going to the east. He turned the country into a campaign wherever he went, planning out his action into order and system always.

On his return he had appointments at the close of each day, and often in the afternoon. He speaks of an interesting visit at the famous springs of Saratoga; also of a brief interview he had with the celebrated Lorenzo Dow on the morning of the 15th, as follows:

"I never before had seen him, but having his engraved likeness with me, I knew him at once. His countenance had an expression that might be called piercing. His eyes were penetrating, his mind was heavenly in its thoughts and feelings, and his conversation shone with modesty and sobriety. His appearance, and a few moments of conversation, made the most serious impression on my mind.

He seemed like an inhabitant of some other region, or like a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth. As I reflected on his numerous sufferings and extensive usefulness, I was led to mourn my own unlikeness to G.o.d. How many bear the name of ministers of Christ, who do not walk as He walked."

The same day he arrived at Pittsford, thus ending a lengthy journey of much fatigue, and to Mrs. Badger of some afflictive illness; occupied his new home, and resumed from that time the same industrious action which had before been so signally crowned with success. He found his friends steadfast in affection and faith, turned into falsity the predictions of his enemies, who had said he would never return, and in company with a very worthy coadjutor, Mr. John Blodget, a minister of the same evangelical faith, with whom he had corresponded since 1815, and who had accompanied him from the east, he was now prepared to supply the increasing demand made upon his labors.

Never until now had Mr. Badger known by experience what it was for a minister to be involved by domestic cares, and the numerous solicitudes that cl.u.s.ter about the external well-being of a newly established home, which in some degree must divert the mind from study and thought; but which may really prove its own reward by the development of practical wisdom, and by rendering the experience of the minister more akin to the daily life of the great majority of those whom he instructs. He whose experience allows him the most numerous points of contact with mankind, can best comprehend them, and, with suitable gifts, he can most easily reach them by a leading, commanding influence. Mr. Badger was one of those men whom new circ.u.mstances and responsibilities could not frustrate, but which always found in him a new and a latent adequacy, that only waited for the outward call; and so much did his peculiar genius of self-mastery and adaptation have its symbol in the cat, which, thrown from whatever part of the building, is sure so to control the evolutions as to strike upon its feet, that throughout his life, which was bold and adventurous, it was seen that new difficulties were always more than paralleled by new manifestations of power in him. With a nature everflowingly social, and beyond most persons adapted to domestic life, he now aims to travel less into foreign parts, and to collect his energies for a field of action in which he might regard his home as the centre. The absence of theological sympathy in the world was nothing to dampen his zeal or cause him to waver, having himself so much self-reliance and creative power to modify and change society to his own views and feelings.