fallen a sacrifice to despotic power and oppression, the former could not long survive, but ecclesiastical tyranny, in some shape or other, would, like a mighty torrent, soon overspread the land.

In the year 1774, he published, under his own signature, a spirited address to the people of the Western part of the Colony, to arouse them to a sense of the danger in which their liberties were then involved.

In November, 1775, on the day set apart for Thanksgiving in the Colony of Connecticut, at a period which he regarded as "the most calamitous the British Colonies ever beheld," he preached a sermon which was designed to keep up the spirits of the people in the important and dangerous struggle in which they were then engaged. It had great celebrity at the time, and a copy of it is yet preserved in the archives of the Historical Society of New York, where it was printed in the following year.

Few men have ever entered upon the ministry in Connecticut with higher, or so far as his friends could judge, better grounded, hopes of future usefulness and distinction, than Mr. Baldwin. President Daggett of Yale College, at the close of his ordination sermon, thus addressed him :

"From a long, intimate, and agreeable acquaintance with you, I cannot but strongly hope and trust that you will be not only an able, but also a faithful, minister of the New Testament, painfully travailing in birth for the souls of your hearers. It is with singular pleasure and satisfaction that I can thus speak to you on this solemn occasion, as I am not unacquainted with the gifts and qualifications with which Heaven has furnished you for the important work and service to which you are now called. I have been under advantages to observe your knowledge in Divinity, and your professed soundness in the faith, as well as your prudence of conduct in the important and difficult station in which you have been at College for four years past, in a very near connection with me. And this acquaintance I have had with you, fully raises my hopes of your usefulness in the church of Christ."

Though these high hopes were fully justified by the fruits of his ministry, during the brief period of its continuance, the President lived to see them prematurely blasted by the early death of his friend and pupil.

In August, 1776, he accompanied a large number of his parishioners, as their Chaplain, to the seat of war in the vicinity of New York, to whose defence they were called as militia men. He there, while in the performance of his duties, amidst the hardships of the camp, in ministering to the sick and suffering soldiers, contracted the fatal disease of which he died, soon after his return to his parish, on the 1st of October, 1776, at the age of thirty-one. He was never married. He had previously made and sent home his will, in which he made provision for the return to the parish of the £200, which, according to custom at that period, he had received as a settlement at the time of his ordination. The amount thus bequeathed was gratefully received by the Society, and appropriated in part towards defraying the expenses of a new church which they soon after erected, and in which they yet continue to worship; and in part as the nucleus of a fund, which, by additional subscriptions and prudent investments in the public stocks, now yields them an income equal to their expenses.

During the residence of Mr. Baldwin at Danbury, in addition to his parochial labours, he superintended the education of several youths in their preparatory studies for a collegiate education. Among them were his younger brother, the writer of this sketch, and his lamented friend and class-mate, the late Chancellor James Kent of New York, who retained through life a warm and affectionate remembrance of the worth and virtues of his early friend and preceptor.

In the address which Chancellor Kent delivered before the

Phi Beta Kappa Society of Yale College in 1831, he paid a beautiful tribute to his memory; and in a letter written at a later period, he says of him, "Mr. Baldwin was studious in his habits and remarkably dignified in his manners and deportment. He was a very handsome, well-built man, with manly health and cheerful spirits. He worked a good deal in his fine garden, and made hay in his own meadow. He rode a good deal, and interchanged sermons with his brethren in the neighbouring towns. No person could be more revered by the inhabitants of Danbury and the clergy in that quarter."

I am, with great respect and esteem,

Your friend and humble servant,

SIMEON BALDWIN.

JOB SWIFT, D. D.*

1766-1804.

FROM THE HON. SAMUEL SWIFT.

MIDDLEBURY, January 25, 1849. Rev. and dear Sir: The pressure of constant and laborious duties has hitherto allowed me no leisure to comply with your request in respect to my venerated father, the REV. JOB SWIFT, D. D. And now the same cause will compel me to do it in a much more hasty manner than I could desire. For other reasons also, I undertake the service you ask of me with much hesitation. It is more than forty-four years since my father's death; and, for eight years previous, although young, I was absent, pursuing classical and professional studies, and not a constant resident in the family. Besides, no man ever possessed so large a share of my affectionate veneration; and of course whatever I now say of him, will be said under this abiding partiality.

He was born at Sandwich, Mass., June 17, (0. S.) 1743; but, in his early youth, his father removed with his family to Kent, Conn. He entered Yale College in 1761, and graduated in 1765. It was during his College life, and while he was engaged in studying the works of President Edwards, that his mind became deeply impressed with the subject of religion; which was quickly succeeded by the purpose to devote himself to the Christian ministry. Having pursued his theological studies, for some time, under Dr. Bellamy, towards whom he ever afterwards cherished the highest veneration, he was licensed to preach; and the year immediately succeeding, (1767,) he became pastor of the Congregational Church in Richmond, Mass. For a time, he had every prospect of both comfort and usefulness here; but the plainness of his statements and the earnestness of his appeals at length generated a dissatisfaction, which, after a residence among them of seven years, resulted in the dissolution of his pastoral relation. Having preached about a year in different places, he was next settled in Amenia, Dutchess county, N. Y.; but, in the spring of 1783, he removed thence to Manches

Dwight's travels, II.

ter, Vermont, where he preached between two and three years. On the 31st of May, 1786, he was settled over the Congregational church in Bennington. Here he was situated near the South line of the State, and on the only road leading from Massachusetts and Connecticut into all that part of the State lying west of the Green mountains. At the time of his removal to this region, the few scattered inhabitants, who had fled from the central parts of Vermont during the Revolutionary war, were returning to their deserted homes; and emigrants from other States were rapidly flocking in to take possession of the new and unoccupied lands. The population, for several years, increased rapidly; but was in a very unsettled and unorganized state. There were no literary institutions, and few churches, in the whole region. I am not aware that any clergyman was settled North of Bennington, at the time of my father's removal to that place.

Situated, as he was, in reference to the Western part of Vermont,—with such a wide and uncultivated field before him, and with a benevolence which gave him no rest, while he could do any thing to promote the institutions of learning or religion, he felt that it was no ordinary responsibility that rested upon him; and, under this conviction, he tasked himself to the full extent of his physical, mental, and moral power.

At an early period of his settlement in Bennington, and before my recollection, he went on a missionary tour, on horseback, as far North as the country lying on Onion river,-then principally a wilderness,-confirming the few feeble churches and organizing new ones. While travelling in a part of the wilderness where no roads had been opened, he lost his way, and was compelled to encamp through a cold night on the ground. The severity of this exposure induced a long and dangerous fever, from which he scarcely recovered. He made many similar tours during his residence in Bennington, and many of the churches in Western Vermont were organized by him. The confidence which the churches and ministers reposed in him was universal, and seemed not to be misplaced. From this, as well as from his local position, his age and early acquaintance, it seemed to be his lot to have "the care of all the churches" in the region. Ministers were settled under his patronage, and were organized into Associations through his instrumentality. His labours in the organization of one or more Consociations, and of the General Convention of the State, are among my earliest recollections. And it is within my remembrance that he was absent from his family much of his time attending ecclesiastical meetings of different kinds, and especially councils for the ordination of ministers and for settling difficulties in churches.

Having exercised his ministry in Bennington more than fifteen years, circumstances adverse to his comfort arose, which resulted in a separation from his charge. This took place on the 7th of June 1801; immediately after which, he removed to Addison on Lake Champlain, where he purchased a farm. His removal to that place had no reference to a further settlement in the ministry. The society there was small, without an organized church, and unable, at that time, to support the institutions of the Gospel. He established a church there, and officiated as its pastor, except when called to other fields of labour, with little or no compensation, deriving the support of his family from his farm. It was while on a missionary tour in some of the newer and more destitute towns near the North line of the State, that, through a most distressing illness, he was called to his rest. He died at VOL. I.

81

An

Enosburgh, October 20, 1804, after he had passed his sixtieth year. unbeliever who was present, expressed the greatest astonishment at the tranquillity in which he died. It seems to have been no painful consideration to him that he was dying away from home; for some of his last words were, "I have often thought it would be very distressing to have my family around me in the hour of death." A Sermon on the occasion of his death was preached by the Rev. Benjamin Wooster* from Isaiah LVII. 1.; another by the Rev. Jedediah Bushnell from Hebrews XI. 4.; and a third by the Rev. Lemuel Haynes, from 2 Timothy IV. 6. The substance of the latter discourse was published.

My father was a patron of learning, as well as of religion. It was mainly through his instrumentality that an academy was established in Bennington, which, for several years, was a prosperous and efficient institution. He also personally instructed a large number of young men in his own house; some of whom he fitted for College, while others were prepared for usefulness in professional and other employments, without a collegiate education. Much of the time within my own recollection, there were in the family young men under his tuition; some of whom were too poor to pay for their board, except by their labour, and that at a moderate charge. Among the earliest whom I recollect in the family, were Rev. Ebenezer Porter, D. D., afterwards President of the Theological Seminary at Andover, and Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, D. D., successively President of Williams and Amherst Colleges. His interest in the promotion of learning is further evinced by his being connected as a Trustee successively with Dartmouth, Williams, and Middlebury, Colleges.

Few men have been more distinguished than he by a truly Christian hospitality, or have had a wider field for its exhibition. His dwelling was on the only road of travel into the new settlements of Western Vermont, which was then rapidly filling up with emigrants from Connecticut and Massachusetts; his acquaintance in those States was extensive, and his relation to the churches in Vermont was widely known. Thus situated,— all missionaries and other clergymen, and many religious and literary men, acquainted with him, personally, or by reputation, coming into the State for a temporary or permanent residence, made it in their way to spend one or more nights at his house;† and many members of the new churches which he had organized or visited, resorted to him for consultation and advice. So that it was a frequent remark among the neighbours,-somewhat hyperbolical probably,-that my father had more travelling custom than the public house. And yet all were most cordially welcomed, hospitably entertained, and invited to repeat their visits.

During the Revolutionary war, he lost most of his property by the depreciation of "Continental money:" his salary at Bennington was small,

BENJAMIN WOOSTER was born in Waterbury, Conn., October 29, 1762; was a soldier in the war of the Revolution; afterwards entered Yale College and graduated in 1790; studied Theology chiefly under the Rev. Dr. Edwards of New Haven; spent some time, after being licensed, in missionary labour; was ordained pastor of the church in Cornwall, Vermont, in 1797; resigned his charge in 1802,and spent the next three years chiefly in executing appointments under the Berkshire Missionary Society; was installed in Fairfield, Vt., July 24, 1805, and laboured with great assiduity, not only in his own parish but in many destitute places in the surrounding country, until 1833, when his labours were interrupted by bodily infirmities. He represented the town of Fairfield one year in the General Assembly of the State, and twice in the Septennial Convention convened by the Board of Censors. He died at St. Albans, Vt., in February, 1843.

Dr. Dwight, in his Travels, vol. II., mentions spending a night there.

at best poorly paid, and much of it unpaid. But he was able to purchase a small farm. By means of this, and the persevering industry of his numerous children, male and female, and a rigid system of economy in his family, he was able to sustain the expenses of his large hospitality. And I recollect that it was a calculation of my older brother that the proceeds of his whole salary no more than met the expenses of his company, while the family were wholly supported and educated by their own labour.

My father's separation from the church in Bennington in the year 1801 is within my remembrance; and it may not be indelicate, at a period so remote from the event, to refer to it. In no place within my knowledge did party spirit rage with so much fury; and in no place was the influence of French politics and infidelity more deeply and sadly realized than in that town. He took no active part in the politics of the day. But he felt bound, as a minister of the Gospel, to resist the flood of infidelity and licentiousness which threatened to sweep away the foundations of all civil, social, and religious institutions. I am not aware that he ever but once introduced the subject directly in a public discourse; but that was enough to stir up jealousies then so easily excited. He was charged with various political heresies; and the usual epithets of aristocrat and monarchist were applied to him; and, among other delinquencies, it was complained that he did not pray for Mr. Jefferson when he was Vice President. His friends were no less ardent in his defence. This controversy rendered his condition unpleasant, destroyed his prospect of usefulness, and was the occasion of his dismissal. Some, I believe, expressed a wish to have a more popular preacher. But, at the time, none made objection to his talents, or his moral or religious character. And afterwards, none belonging to the society were found willing to acknowledge themselves his opponents; and many who had been regarded as most disaffected, designated themselves, by way of distinction, as "the friends of Dr. Swift."

During most of the Revolutionary war, my father was in an unsettled state; for a while officiating as Chaplain of the army, but most of the time, preaching, as I have already stated, in Dutchess county, N. Y., where his family resided. After his removal to Vermont, his labours were more in active service than in his study. And, in both places, his facilities for collecting a library, or of pursuing a regular system of study, were very limited. During the period to which my recollection extends, his principal time for study was from four o'clock in the morning until early breakfast. He, however, devoted, as he had opportunity, other parts of the day to the preparation of his sermons. In addition to the Bible, which was his chief study, his library consisted of a few standard authors, and a few more recent publications on Theology, which he procured, as he had opportunity. And yet no one who knew him, I believe, doubted that he had uncommonly clear and discriminating views of the Christian system.

He commenced preaching by writing his sermons. But he gave up that practice early, because the people to whom he preached, had a prejudice against written discourses. His skeletons were more or less full, as circumstances dictated; but the fullest were only memoranda for his own use, of the thoughts which occurred to him in the examination of his subject. Some of these were published, in a small volume, after his death, but they were by no means the sermons which he preached.