PROFESSIONAL YEARS

BISHOP HOBART.

CHAPTER I.

From date of Ordination, 3rd June, 1798, in the 23rd year of his age, until removal to New-York, December, 1800.

Pastoral Charge of the Churches at Oxford and Perkiomen-Affecting Incident-Letters from College Friends-Removal to Brunswick-Resignation-Marriage with Miss ChandlerRev. Dr. Chandler-Life-Services-Death-Mr. Hobart's Removal to Hempstead--Call to New-York, September 8th, 1800-Letter to Mercer-Traits of Character.

On the Sunday immediately following his ordination, which took place 3rd June, 1798, Mr. Hobart entered upon his ministerial duties: they consisted in the charge of two small country churches, viz. Trinity, Oxford, and All Saints, Perkiomen, distant, the one about ten, the other thirteen miles from the city of Philadelphia. The object of Bishop White in thus stationing him, as given in his own words, conveys a high compliment to his young friend: 'It was very near to my heart,' says he, 'that he should be settled so close to me as to be easily transferred to any vacancy that might happen in the ministry of the churches of which I am rector, or to add to our number (in the city) in the event of building a new church, which was then in contemplation.'

One of these rural parishes possessed the interest of what we must, in our recent history, term high antiquity. The congregation at Oxford was one of the earliest or

ganized in the middle colonies, being founded by the labours of the Rev. George Kirk, a convert from the Quakers, who was sent out by the Society in England a general travelling missionary, as early as 1702, previous to the appointment of any local ones in this country. His missionary field was the continent of British North America; his allowance 2007. a year; he accomplished his mission in two years, and Oxford was among the fruits of them".

In this scene of humble duty Mr. Hobart continued to labour until the end of the year, as already stipulated". How successfully, might be conjectured from the exhibition of character this narrative has already afforded. The surest pledge is to be found in the deep sense of responsibility under which he had entered upon them; the language, however, of one who followed him, affords a more direct testimony. His congregations,' says the Rev. George Sheets, 'were crowded, his pulpit talents greatly esteemed, and his person much beloved. I have conversed with several old parishioners who have a perfect recollection of him-they all loved him much, and greatly admired his preaching.' But his rising merit was soon acknowledged by others.

He had hardly entered upon his station before he was solicited to quit it. A call was given him as an assistant to the Rev. Dr. Magaw, in St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. The letter by which the invitation was conveyed, was in the name of the rector and congregation, and concludes with these urgent words of entreaty-We trust that you will come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of CHRIST. The harvest is great, but the faithful labourers are few, therefore, "come down and help us." Though Mr. Hobart's answer is not preserved, its tenour may be conjectured, since we know from

History of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, by Dr. Humphreys, Secretary, &c.

b Early Years, p. 147.

the result that the offer was not accepted; declined, most probably, on the grounds already expressed by him, of unwillingness to enter so soon on the absorbing labours of a large city church.

In the mean time, his college intimacies, though broken, were not forgotten-scattered though they were, his was not a heart lightly to sever such ties; and we consequently find among his papers traces of an ample correspondence, by degrees, however, narrowing down to those nearest to him in affection or pursuits in life.

In the latter class we find several who had entered the ministry of other denominations, seeking from him advice, or thanking him for past kindness. As usual, we have but few of his own, and must gather our knowledge of their contents, as it were, by reflected light.

FROM THE REV. H. KOLLOCK.

'Nassau Hall, June 11th, 1798.

I have too long neglected to answer your agreeable letter, but you know that our resolutions on this subject are often unavoidably broken within the walls of a college, though our affection may remain undiminished.

I have at length finished Patrick and begun Lowth. The former is like a desolate field, where the soil may produce some valuable plants, but all the surrounding scenery appears unengaging; whilst the latter resembles those fields of Arabia which he describes, where the lofty cedar, the medicinal balm, and the fragrant flower bloom beside each other. I think, however, that he is too lavish of his corrections of the sacred text; for though some of them are absolutely necessary, yet I do not think that any should be introduced merely to cause a parallelism of the lines, or to add to the beauty of an expression. It is of too much consequence to establish the belief of Christians, concerning the general authenticity of the Scriptures, to permit such freedom.

I suppose that by this time, my dear friend, you have become a minister of CHRIST. I pray GoD that you may be happy, zealous, and successful; that the blessed spirit of grace may rest upon you, and make your preaching efficacious for arresting the presumptuous and deluded sinner; for pouring consolation into

the wounded conscience, and for building up the saints in holiness and faith. May you pass through this life supported by your Saviour; and when you stand before his tribunal to render final account, may you see many souls who have been converted by your ministry, and who shall be crowns of your everlasting rejoicing. Oh! my friend, may we both meet there, and, though bearing different names here below, may we both be interested in the salvation of the common Redeemer.

HENRY KOLLOCK.'

FROM MR. D. COMFORT.

Dear Sir,

Mapleton, June 20th, 1798.

The period is not far distant, when it is expected I will appear in a more public capacity than at present. In September the Presbytery expect to license me to preach the Gospel. They may, perhaps, be willing to do it, but to me it is frequently a doubt whether in duty I ought to apply for it. The nearer it approaches, the more important it appears, and the more diffident do I feel to undertake the sacred office. I can perceive so much corruption and depravity still existing within, and so little holiness and real religion, that I am frequently almost discouraged. I still, however, hope these doubts and difficulties will be so removed that I may with cheerfulness, and humble boldness, enter into the service of the blessed Redeemer, and find, by experience, "his yoke to be easy and his burden light."

I have merely heard that you are ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, as you expected, without hearing any particulars. I hope you may have the pleasure of seeing the work of the LORD prosper under your labours, by the addition of many members to his Church.

The melancholy news of my father's death has borne heavy upon my mind. Although from his age, being more than seventy, I could not but soon expect it, yet there seemed no doubt on my mind but I should see him once more. I anticipated the joyful meeting after an absence of nearly two years; and when I recollected my own feelings, and his own expressions of joy, after an absence of a few months, the idea of that which I trusted was not far distant was greatly heightened. And how frequently did I dwell with pleasure on the thought of having it in my power, in