ascertain the moral and religious condition of the people. This information was of the highest moment to him, both as it respected his feelings, and his pursuits. By these means, and by his extensive correspondence, he became possessed of more knowledge, general and local, of the religious state and interests of the country, than almost any other man; and by the aid of this knowledge, he was able to originate, and still oftener to aid, the execution of very numerous and extensive schemes of charity and benevolence. To enumerate the various literary, charitable, and pious institutions, which he was active in founding, or promoting, would be a laborious employment. Some of the principal ones may be -mentioned. By his exertions and influence, aided by those of distinguished men around him, "THE CONNECTICUT ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES" was established. This was done in the year 1799; and the association was incorporated by the legislature of that State in October of the same year. One of the great objects in view, was, to procure a Statistical Account of Connecticut. This he had much at heart, and flattered himself he should be able to accomplish. For this purpose, the Academy printed and distributed a list of inquiries to men of intelligence, throughout the State, and to encourage and stimulate others to assist in the execution of the plan. Notwithstanding the weakness of his eyes, he wrote the account of New Haven at an early date, which the Academy afterwards published. Accounts of a few other towns were furnished by other gentlemen.-But, as it proved less easy than he imagined to obtain the performance of a task attended with some labour and no profit, the business languished in hands far less occupied than his own, and the principal object was never accomplished. He was a zealous promoter of the establishment, and the exertions, of the Missionary Society of Connecticut ;-an Institution pre-eminent in this country for its zeal, and success, in the great cause for the promotion of which it was founded. To its funds, also, he was a liberal contributor-having devoted to their increase the profits of his edition of the psalms and hymns sold in that State. The amount of monies received from this source by The Society, exceeded one thousand dollars. He was one of the projectors of the Society for foreign Missions, established in the year 1809 at Boston, Massachusetts ; and until his death was one of its active and influential officers. Such was the fact, also, with regard to the Theological Seminary at Andover, in that State. From its commencement, he was one of the visitors of that school, and annually attended to the duties of his office with great engagedness and punctuality. For it, his labours, his counsels, and his prayers were ever ready; and in its prosperity he was not less interested than in that of the College over which he presided. From the time of the establishment of the most illustrious and sublime charity that has ever engaged the attention, or drawn forth the exertions and the wealth of the pious and benevolent"THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY," it was the ardent wish of President Dwight, to see a similar Institution established in the United States. Although a friend and promoter of smaller and more circumscribed institutions, he viewed the subject on a large scale, and was strongly impressed with the idea, that a National Society would be much more efficient, and far more extensively useful. Although he was prevented by sickness from being present at the establishment of "THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY," during the last year of his life; yet it was an object which not only met with his cordial approbation, but had the benefit of his warmest encouragement, and his earnest prayers; and it was a consoling consideration to him that he liv ed to see it accomplished, and making rapid progress towards extensive usefulness and respectability. In addition to the foregoing institutions, a long list of more confined, but active and operative societies, formed for the purposes of piety, and charity, had the benefit of his exertions, and the weight of his influence and patronage. According to his resources, he contributed largely and cheerfully; his services he rendered to an extent rarely equalled in this country; and in his endeavours to promote their usefulness, and success, he was never weary. Throughout his whole ministerial life, and especially while head of the College, he was resorted to by clergymen, from various parts of the country, for his advice and counsel on the sub ject of their professional concerns. Vacant parishes applied to him for his assistance in procuring ministers. In all Associations of the clergy, local and general, of which he was a member, he was active and influential; able in devising, and firm in accomplishing measures for the advancement of religion, and for the good of the community. His services were extensively sought as a peacemaker, in removing difficulties between ministers and their people and in restoring harmony in Churches. Applications for private teachers and instructors of public schools from almost all parts of the United States, were made to him in immense numbers. The infant seminaries of our country often requested his assistance in the selection of their presidents, professors, and tutors. These various applications, not only occupied much of his time, but subjected him to a laborious correspondence, and to no inconsiderable expense. Yet his ardent desire to do good, by improving the education of the young, by diffusing valuable knowledge, by advancing the literary character of the country, and by promoting the prosperity of the Church of Christ, rendered these gratuitous services for others not irksome, but pleasant. During the period of his presidency, he was often called to preach, at the ordination of ministers, at the funerals of distinguished individuals, and on other public and extraordinary occasions. Many of these sermons were printed. The following is a catalogue of these productions, and of various others of a different character published during that period. In 1797 he published two Discourses on the nature and danger of Infidel Philosophy, addressed to the candidates for the Baccalaureate in Yale College.-And a sermon at the funeral of the Rev. Elizur Goodrich, D.D. In 1798, a Sermon, entitled "The Duty of Americans at the present Crisis," delivered at New Haven, on the 4th of July in that year. In 1800, a Discourse on the character of Washington. In 1808, a Sermon on the opening of the Theological Institution in Andover, and the ordination of the Rev. Eliphalet Pearson, D.D. In 1809, a Sermon occasioned by the death of Governor Trumbull. In 1810, a Charity Sermon, preached at New Haven. In 1812, The Dignity and Excellence of the Gospel-a Discourse delivered at the Ordination of the Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor. A Discourse in two parts, on the public Fast, in the same year. A Discourse in two parts, on the National Fast, in the same year. In 1813, a Sermon before the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Observations on Language, published in the Memoirs of the Connecticut Academy of Sciences, in 1816. An Essay on Light, also published by that Institution the same year. In the years 1810, 1811, 1812, and 1816, he published several important articles in two religious periodical publications in New England. In every situation in life, President Dwight was distinguished for hospitality. At New Haven he was still more liable to company than at Greenfield; and very few men, in any profession, or employment, in that State, ever entertained more, and no one with more absolute kindness and liberality. A great proportion of respectable strangers, almost all clergymen and persons of a religious character, visiting or passing through that town, were desirous of being introduced to him. It is believed that very few, who enjoyed the opportunity, ever left him without being gratified with the interview. Notwithstanding the variety and importance of his avocations, he was never unprepared to entertain strangers, or to enjoy the conversation of his friends. Twice during his presidency, the Corporation thought it expedient to state the circumstances of the College to the Legislature; and to show that body the extreme inconvenience under which it laboured, for the want of buildings to accommodate the students. They had multiplied to such a degree, that about one third of the whole number were obliged to take rooms in the town; and, of course, were placed out of the immediate inspection, and control, of its officers:a state of things almost ne cessarily productive of evil to the Institution. He was appointed one of the agents of the Board to present their statement. It will scarcely be believed that these applications were unsuccessful. On both these occasions, his address to that Honourable Body, was universally admired as a distinguished specimen of forensic eloquence. It drew, from all who heard it, the strongest expressions of applause. But notwithstanding the failure of these applications, the reputation of the College was extended, and its numbers increased beyond all former example. Though in want of the requisite buildings, though chiefly destitute of funds and of patronage, it still flourished; and was considered throughout the country, as inferior to no seminary of learning in the United States. Students from every part of the union were to be found in it; and from some of the Southern States a great proportion of the whole number who were educated at the North. The College thus derived from the talents, and exertions of its government, that reputation and advantage, for which it ought, in a far greater degree, to have been indebted to the liberality of the State. By such long continued, and unintermitted application to literary and scientifical pursuits, it would be natural to expect, that at the age of sixty-three, his constitution would have begun to experience some marks of decay and infirmity. Such, however, was not the fact. The regularity of his habits, his temperate manner of living, and the uniform course of exercise which he pursued; all united to invigorate his constitution, and render him, at that age, more active and energetic than most men of forty. No apparent declension was discernible in the powers either of his body or his mind. His understanding was as vigorous, his imagination as lively, and his industry and exertions as uniform, and efficient, as they had been at any former period. In September 1815, he undertook a journey into the western parts of the State of New-York. When he reached Catskill, he made an excursion to the summit of the neighbouring mountains, with the same views, and. for the same purposes, as he had visited so many similar objects in New England. After travelling westward as far as Hamilton College, he relinquished the idea of proceeding farther in his journey, in consequence of the state of the VOL. I. F |