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MEMOIR 
 
 ALFRED BENNETT, 
 
 IT PASrOE OP THE BAPTISI CHUHOH, HOMER, R T , 
 
 AMEEIOAH BAPTIST mSSIOHABT Vm(SS- 
 
 BY M. HARVEY. 
 
 KEW YORK: 
 EDWARD H. FLETCHER. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, 
 
 By E. H. FLETCHER, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Soufbem 
 
 District of New York. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 In presenting this ■work to the public, the publisher would 
 bespeak the kind attention and interest of the friends of the 
 lamented subject of its pages, and mention that the arrange- 
 ments of its publication are such as to secure to his widow a 
 share in the proceeds of its sale. 
 
HOMER BAPTIST CONGREGATION, 
 
 ecijis i^cmorial 
 
 OF HIM 
 
 Ha afUtUamtels IBcDtcateU is 
 
 THEIR PASTOR. 
 
OaAPTEE I. TODTa 
 
 IL — CONTEBEION 
 
 HI. — A Deeam: 
 
 IV. — Ehibasce oh ihe MiKiSTay.., 
 
 T. — PASTOEit luaoBS , 
 
 VI. — EEviTAta 
 
 VH — COHTEMPOILSSIES 
 
 VIIL — OtosiNo Pa3toilal Woek 
 
 IX. — MiSSIOHABT AqEHOT 
 
 , X— TOUBB SODTH ANB WbST 
 
 XL — TODBB EaeI AKIl WeBT 
 
 XIL — Illkess ahd Death 
 
 XEX— CaASACiEs 
 
This volume, prepared in the midst of feeble health 
 and the pressure of pastoral duties, is now with difB- 
 dence euhmitted to the Christian public. The subject 
 of it held no classic pen. He belonged to a generation 
 of men whose chief power was in oral, not ■written com- 
 muiucation. In speech he was richly gifted ; but the 
 vivacity, force, and ardor which characterized his dis- 
 course, he was never able to transfer to the written 
 page. As his biography must necessarily be made up, 
 to no inconsiderable extent, from his correspondence, the 
 reader will, it is feared, be painfully conscious that the 
 portraiture here given la,cks the glow and richness of the 
 living original. 
 
 The materials were not abundant. Most of his let- 
 ters have been losji. The account of his conversion and 
 exercises respecting the ministry was given by him only 
 at the urgent request of the church in Homer. Of the 
 remainmg part of his life, he declined maldng any state- 
 ments, remarking that it had been public, in the midst of 
 1* 
 
VI PEEFAOE. 
 
 his brethren, and he would say nothing about it. This 
 was characteristic of him. 
 
 His memory will hve long in the hearts of the 
 churches, and with a freshness with which, from these 
 circumstances, it can never be embalmed in the printed 
 volume. He was emphatically a man who " served his 
 own generation ;" and while the results of his hfe will 
 doubtless continue to be felt on earth until the consum- 
 mation of all things, he has left no written memorials to 
 represent adequately, in after times, the rare excellences 
 of his character. 
 
 The writer can only say, he has used to the best of 
 his ability the limited materials within his reach; and 
 the work is now committed to the press, with the ardent 
 hope that it may excite many to emulate the exalted 
 Christian virtues of this venerated servant of God, and 
 may thus subserve the interests of vital godliness, and 
 receive the approbation of the Heavenly Master. 
 
 KoJSSB., January 20th, 1SS2. 
 
MEMOIE OF REV. ALFRED BENNETT. 
 
 Alyred Behnbtt was born September 26, 1780, 
 in Mansfield, "Windbam county, Connecticut, His 
 parents, Asa and Mary Bennett, were both pious ; 
 the former a member of the Baptist eburcli at 
 Hampton, the latter connected with the Oongreg^ 
 tional church in Mansfield. In later life, how- 
 ever, his mother also became a Baptist. 
 
 The influences of home were strictly religious, 
 and many cireumstanees are mentioneij which 
 attest the godly character of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. 
 At the family altar, morning and evening, they 
 were accustomed to seek instruction from the 
 sacred Word, and bow in thanksgiving and Bup- 
 pHcation. The lofty moral principlee which nur- 
 tured the manly virtues of the earlier Puritans had 
 not then passed away, as among the defects of a 
 -. sterner age; and in. this domestic circle l^y siSi 
 
10 MEMOIE OF 
 
 exerted their potent influence, in the healthful 
 restraints placed around the young, and the sacred- 
 nes9 with which they invested the institutions of 
 religion and virtue. The attendance of their chil- 
 dren upon the public worship of God was also 
 strictly enjoined, and the Sabbath seldom found 
 their place vacant in the sanctuary. In obedience 
 to the apostolic injunction, they earnestly endeav- 
 ored to bring up their offspring "in the nurture 
 and admonition of the Lord." Nor was their pious 
 zeal unrewarded. They had the happiness of 
 seeing the whole family group become members of 
 the family of God, and attain to positions of emi- 
 nent usefulness iu the earthly church ; and though 
 they have long since entered into rest, their chil- 
 dren's children, at this day, rise up and call them 
 blessed. 
 
 Alfred was their second son. The eldest, Asa, 
 became a subject of Divine grace early in life, and 
 for many years subsequently, as an officer in the 
 Baptist church at Homer, was a worthy coadjutor 
 of his brother, and distinguished for his enlight- 
 ened Christian zeal and eminently godly life. The 
 next younger is Eev. Alvin Bennett, of South 
 "Wilbraham, Mass., who still sm-vives, widely 
 known and revered as a devoted and successful 
 minister of the Gospel. The remaining son, Elea- 
 
EEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 11 
 
 zar, contmned to reside for many years on the 
 paternal estate, and lived and died a member of 
 the chui'ch to which his father was attached. The 
 only daughter, Sarah, became wife of Kev. William 
 Palmer, an esteemed minister of Christ, in l^ar- 
 wich, Conn. 
 
 Thus God honored parental faithfulness. The 
 seeds of life early sown, and watered with many 
 prayers and tears,, at last sprung up and have 
 borne a rich harvest. T'rom that pious home, 
 where the fear of God dwelt and His commands 
 were obeyed, have flowed streams of spiritual 
 blessings, which must continue to extend and 
 multiply, tin the latter day glory burets upon the 
 world and the Most High sets up the Throne of 
 
 The nearest Baptist church was at Hampton, 
 about fifteen miles distant. The churches of this 
 religious denomination had been until lately com- 
 paratively few in the land, and though less re- 
 stricted in Connecticut than m iMassacbusetts, 
 their growth was much repressed by oppressive 
 Jegal enactments. Congregationalism was the 
 State religion, and the law req^uired every person 
 to contribute to that form of worship, unless a 
 certificate was obtained certifying that he rega- 
 larly attended aad paid at some other church. 
 
12 MEMOnt OF 
 
 This Tmion of State and Churcli neceBsarily cast 
 the whole influence of government against every 
 form of dissent, and made it the secular interest 
 of men to attend upon the ministry thus recog- 
 nized by law. It wa's generally deemed schismat- 
 ical. to differ from the established religion, and 
 those who ventured to do so were commonly ac- 
 counted restless disturbers of good order and the 
 general religious welfare. The Baptist church 
 had been of late, indeed, rapidly increasing, not- 
 withstanding these adverse influences; yet they 
 were not even then numerous, and theii* members 
 were often widely scattered. Mr. Bennett's fam- 
 ily, therefore, usually attended the Congregational 
 church in Mansfield, and received their religious 
 education under the public insti'uction of the min- 
 istry there. 
 
 Alfred was distinguished in boyhood for that 
 vivacious, buoyant' spirit which, chastened by 
 grace, was ever characteristic of him in maturer 
 life. He was the acknowledged leader in all the 
 frolics and sports of the boys. If any wild, boyish 
 prank had been played La the neighborhood, no- 
 body would believe that Alfred Bennett was not 
 at the head of it. Never profane, or malicious, or 
 immoral, and always having great tenderness of 
 conscience, he loved what was deemed innocent 
 
KEV. AT.FBBn BENKITrr. 13 
 
 nuBcliief as he loved hie life. This gay, mirthful 
 spirit made him a luuversal fevorite among his 
 companions, and surrounded Mm continually with 
 increaBing temptations to levity. He afterwards 
 ever regarded this disposition to lightness and 
 trifling as the great sin of his youth. 
 
 It is not known that any seriouB religions im- 
 pressions were made upon Ms mind nntil he was 
 about twelve yeai-s old. One evening, at Ms 
 mother's requeBt, he read to her &om Hervey'e 
 Meditations, and the thoughtB then suggested 
 awakened within some anxieties respecting Ma 
 eternal weLfere. The influence of tMs, however, 
 was only transient ; it disappeared soon in greater 
 frivolity and waywardness. 
 
 The great awakening wMch was experienced 
 under the labors of WMtefield, Edwards, and other 
 distinguished men in the first half of the eighteenth 
 century, had long since ceased, though its mem- 
 ory lingered still m the breasts of the fathers in- 
 the churches, and many who had then experienced 
 the riches of grace lived as monuments of those 
 mighty maiLifestations of the power of G!od. The 
 lax theology, against wMch those holy men had 
 so earnestly contended, again largely pervaded 
 the teachings of the schools and the ministrationB 
 of the pulpit. The doctrines of grace which had 
 
14 ^ MEMOIE OF 
 
 then been mighty, through God, to awaken the 
 conscience and bow the heart before the Throne, 
 were extensively discarded, and looser sentiments, 
 exalting the sinner and abasing God, were followed 
 by their legitimate result, the decrease of true 
 spiritual life. The sovereignty of God, the effect- 
 ual calling of the Holy Spirit, and other kindred 
 truths, which lie at the basis of the Gospel, and 
 were weapons attended with supernatural energy 
 when wielded by those early revivalists, were now 
 often thrown aside and exposed to popular odium. 
 Many faithful men, indeed, yet lifted up their 
 voice for the truth, and numerous were the pulpits 
 where the light of these great doctrines was never 
 quenched ; but the popular tendency in ' the 
 churches was in the other direction. And the 
 ministry under which Alfred Bennett was reared, 
 as he afterwards remarked to the wi'iter, was wont 
 to teach, what was then a common sentiment, " If 
 you do on your part, God will do on His pait ;" 
 intending in that expression to direct the siriner 
 to his own good works^as a means of justification, 
 instead of the righteousness of Christ, and over- 
 looking the total natural depravity of the soul and 
 the need of the Spirit's renewing power. 
 
 The year 1797, as well as a number previous, 
 was marked as a period of great religious declen- 
 
HE7. ALFRED BENHEIT. IS 
 
 eion tiu-oughoTit New England, among all denom- 
 inatioDB of ChristianB. The faithfnl wept in secret 
 orer the utter indifference to vital religion gener- 
 ally manifested, and many a godly minister was 
 fainting at his post on acconnt of the apparently 
 increased hardness of heart among the people. 
 But God is not unrighteons to forget the work and 
 labor of Eis servants. In the Spring of the fol- 
 lowing yeai- an extensive revival began, and with 
 great power spread rapidly over the country. The 
 annals of that period furnish the following record : 
 "A great work came on in the spring of 1798, in 
 many parts of Ameiica. It began at Mansfield, 
 in Connecticut, in a remarkable manner. A letter 
 from Windham, in October, mentions it and says, 
 'The Spirit of the Lord seemed to sweep all before 
 it, like an overflowing flood, though with very 
 little noise or crying ont. It was wonderful to 
 see the surprising alteration in that place in so 
 short a time. I conclude there are not less than 
 an hundred sonls converted in that town since the 
 work began. It soon after began in Hampton, bat 
 did not spread with the same degree of rapidity 
 as in Mansfield. The same happy work has lately 
 taken place in Ashford.' Soon after this, Hart- 
 ford, the capital city, experienced the like work 
 among the Congregational and Baptist societies." 
 
16 MEMOIE OF 
 
 This great awakening was felt in all parts of ISTew 
 England, and multitudes were made to rejoice in 
 hope of eternal life. Dr. Tyler remarks, in his 
 memoir of the excellent Nettleton, "During a 
 period of four or five years, commencing with 
 lY98j, not less than one hundred and fifty churches 
 in l^ew England were favored with the special 
 effusions of the Holy Spirit; and thousands of 
 souls, in the judgment of charity, were translated 
 from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom, of 
 God's dear Son." 
 
 Of this gracious work^ which began in his native 
 town, Mr. Bennett was among the eai'liest sub- 
 jects; and during the years in which it continued, 
 he labored with all the energy of his ardent mind 
 for its promotion. Many others, also, of the emi- 
 nent men who have been leaders in the church of 
 God during the past half century, date their con- 
 version during this extraordinary outpouring of 
 the Holy Spirit. The readei* wiD, therefore, be 
 gratified with further extracts from the history 
 of those years, illusti-ating the character of this 
 revival and the manner in which the work was 
 carried on. The first is from a letter of Eev. Mr. 
 Blood, pastor of a Baptist church in Shaftsbury, 
 Vermont. " In about two months after the work 
 began, the whole town seemed to be affected. 
 
n 
 
 Conference meetinga were attended two or three 
 times a week in almost every neighborhood ; and 
 it was enrprising to me that ecareely a Bingle in- 
 stance appeared of any overheated zeal or flight 
 of passion. Both sinners under conviction and 
 those newly bronght into the liberty of the Gospel, 
 conversed in their meetings with the greatest 
 freedom. They spoke one at a time a few words 
 in the most solemn manner I ever heard people 
 in my life. And in general they epake so low, 
 that their assemblies must be perfectly still, or they 
 could not hear them ; yet a remarkable power at- 
 tended their conversation. Sinners would tremble, 
 as though they felt themselves in the immediate 
 presence of the great Jehovah. Some of all ranks 
 and characters have been taken, from the most 
 respectable members of society to the vilest in the 
 place. Some of our most noted Deists have bowed 
 the knee to King Jesus ; and a number of tlniver- 
 aalists have forsaken theii- delusions and embraced 
 the truth." 
 
 Eev. Hr. Powers, a Congregational minister on 
 Deer Island, in Penobscot Bay, writing in March, 
 1799, says : " Perhaps there hath not been a work 
 80 powerful and so much like the work of fifty- 
 eight years ago. In a time of such extraordinaries, 
 it could not reasonably be expected but some 
 
 a* 
 
18 MEMOIR OS" 
 
 things would be a little wild and incoherent, con- 
 sidering the various tempers, infirmities, and dis- 
 positions of mankind; but I believe my young 
 dear brother Merrill, together with experienced 
 Christians, was very careful to distinguish the 
 precious from the vile; to correct errors, to set 
 them in the way of his steps, so that there appears 
 to be no prevalence of enthusiasm among them, 
 according to the best information. How great the 
 number is of those who have been brought to 
 hope^ I am not able to give any tolerable account. 
 Some say there are about an hundred ; others, about 
 double that number. I believe they are all very 
 uncertain. Blessed be God, the work is yet going 
 on, though not with equal rapidity. And now, 
 dear sir, let your imagination paint to your view 
 the striking scene of an hundred souls, men, wo- 
 men, and children, at the same time under the 
 work of the law. He tears, sobs, groans and cries 
 issuing from scores at a time ; all the terrors of 
 the law crowding and pressing in upon them • 
 their sins, in infinite number and aggravations, 
 staring them in the face ; all their old vain hopes 
 gone, and. cut ofij and every refuge failing ! Hear 
 them freely confessing their old abominations 
 thrar former enmity to the great doctrines of ori- 
 ginal sin, election, the sovereignty of divine free 
 
EET. AI;BTO31 bbmkett. 19 
 
 grace, the power of Grod displayed in' effectual 
 vocation; above all, the jnetice of God in their 
 damnation! How often are Bonis brought out 
 into peace and comfort of the lore of Grod, and 
 the Bweet consolationB of the Holy Spirit ! The 
 dead hear the voice of the Son of God, and live," 
 This revival, of wliich the above extracts will 
 give the reader some conception, broke ont in Mr. 
 Bennett's nineteenth year. It found him careless 
 respecting the welfare of his 6onl, and the great 
 concerns of the eternal world ; it left him a dis- 
 tinguished monnment of Divine grace, humble, 
 penitent, believing, earnestly seeMng the ever- 
 lasting well-beiQg of souls around him. 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 COSVEESIOlf. 
 
 The narration here ^ven- of his religious ex- 
 perience was taken frona' his own lips, during the 
 painfid illneas which dosed his life. Ibe language 
 is for the most part his own; it has been -subjected 
 only to such revision as seemed to be reqid^pd fbr 
 brevity and deamesB. 
 
20 MEMOIE OF 
 
 " In the spring of 1798 I went to live with a 
 farmer, a neighbor of my father, to assist for the 
 season as a hired man. Soon after, it began to be 
 mentioned that there were serious impressions and 
 signs of revival among the people. ' "Well,' thought 
 I, ' I have no concern with that. There may be 
 occasion for it in others : I want nothing to do 
 with it.' In a day or two it was again remarked 
 that there certainly was some revival, for such -and 
 such persons were under awakening. I thought, 
 if I were as bad as they there would be need of 
 reform, but. as it is I am good enough without. In 
 this state of mind, returning fi-om worship on the 
 Sabbath, I called at my father's, and before I 
 left my mother took occasion to talk with me 
 about my sins and my soul. I sought to put her 
 off, as I had done before ; but she remarked, ' My 
 son, Jesus Christ is passing through this town, and 
 you will need his blessing by and by : you better 
 seek it now.' This word took deep hold of my 
 heart. I returned home ftdl of anxious thought, 
 settled in my mind that I needed religion. I said, 
 ' "Wliat right have I to expect to be saved, when I 
 have never asked God for salvation ? I will now 
 seek the welfare of my soul. I have been an 
 awfuUy wicked sinner. Eeligion, however, is a 
 matter between God and my own soul. I will 
 
BET. AtFEED BEKNETT. 
 
 attend to it, but will not make swch ado about it 
 as othera, so as to make my feelings public.' 
 Wiih thia resolution I pasaed the evening in mucli 
 thonght, reflecting upon my sinB and my eternal 
 
 " The next day, 1711116 I was revolving my lost 
 _ condition, an old man came into ttie field where I 
 was at work ; and by-tbe-by, he was a poor, wicked, 
 profane, Sabbath-breaking, drnnken man, whom, 
 though a near neighbor, I had never before heai'd 
 apeak a word on the anbject of rehgion, nor did I 
 afterwards. He said, ' Did you hear the bell' toU ?' 
 It had just toUed for a man of about his age and 
 chai'acter. I said I did, and supposed, it. was for 
 Mr. H. He replied, ' So I suppose ; but only 
 think what has become of that man ! Eehgion is 
 an important thing: it is indispensable.' And 
 bursting into tears, and pulhng his hoaiy locks 
 oyer his shoulders, as they hung in, ringlets, he 
 said, ' Look here, I am an old and ^^y-headed 
 sinner ; it is impossible for me to he saved. I 
 must die and go to hell. But, Alfred, you are 
 young ; you may be religions ; and I conjure you 
 by all the mercies of heaven, by all the pains of 
 hell, attend to it now; don't put it off.' I wept 
 much, and he wept, and we parted. Notwith- 
 standing this solemn admonition, to avoid giving 
 
22 MEMOIE OB' 
 
 any impression that there was seriousness on my 
 mind, I went that evening among my young com- 
 panions, and perhaps was never more heedless and 
 volatile than during that night up to a late hour. 
 On my return, however, my sorrows were re- 
 doubled, arising from the fear that I had now 
 ruined my soul forever. 
 
 " The next day found me exceedingly Wretched. 
 I attended the funeral of the man above alluded 
 to, but passed through all the exercises of the oc- 
 casion without feeling. It seemed to me I could 
 not feel ; my heart was hardened. I looked upon 
 the corpse, and thought, 'Well, were I in his 
 place, were would my poor soul be ?' hoping thus 
 to break my hard heai-t, but it seemed to grow 
 harder stUl. . The revival broke out with increased 
 power at that funeral, and I found myself sur- 
 rounded by a number, weeping and conversing 
 about their souls and the prospects of the future. 
 I retired in company with a cousin, E. B., about 
 my own age, and my greatest earthly friend and 
 confidant, who seemed as gay and trifling as usual. 
 We stopped at his father's house, and were soon 
 followed by several other young friends with whom 
 we were wont to associate. Seeing me quiet and 
 grave, they began to inquire the cause, and, on my 
 answering evasively, insisted that some one must 
 
EEV. ALFRED BEHITETT. 23 
 
 have offended me. My cousin E. took me aside, 
 and reminding me of our long and confidential' 
 friendship, besought me to disclose the reason of 
 my nnnsual sadness. The waters of afftiction had 
 by this time' risen so high in my soul as to bear 
 away all idea of seeresy, and I said, 'I am an un- 
 done man. I am a sinner. My dear E., I am 
 lost.' He burst into teai's, and we sat down and 
 wept together. On my return home, my employer 
 went out with me upon the farm, and kindly inquir- 
 ed what was the matter, whether I was disBatisfied 
 with him, or something had made me discontented 
 with my situation. The disclosure already made 
 to my cousin had only increased my wi-etchedness, 
 and I resolved to be perfectly ftank with him. I 
 replied, ' I am undone. I am going right to hell. 
 I see no way to avoid it. There can he no mercy 
 for me.' And I supposed that he would sympar 
 thize with me. Instead of this he smiled, and I 
 thought, ' !Now my sorrows are full. I am going 
 to hell, and all are glad of it. I am so wicked 
 that it will be a relief to others when I am gone.' 
 This more deeply impressed me with the certainty 
 of my miserable doom. 
 
 ^- " In awful apprehension of the loss of my soul, 
 I retired to a baruj and walked the floor for some 
 houiB that evening. I tried to repent, but could 
 
24 MEMOIR OF 
 
 not; I tried to pray, but had no utterance. I 
 would have loved God, but had no power; I 
 sought to believe on the Lord Jesus ChriBt, but it 
 was in vain. My heart was as adamant; and 
 sinking deeper in despair, I resolved that some- 
 thing must be done, my soul must not be lost 
 through neglect; and having always been in- 
 structed under a ministry which taught, ' If you 
 do on your part, God will do on His part,' I de- 
 termined my soul should not be lost through any 
 fault of mine. I therefore marked out a rigid 
 course of duties to be performed, agreeing with my 
 heart that I would pray so many times each day, 
 and often read the Bible ; attend all the religions 
 meetings within my power, and. converse with all 
 religious people who could give me instruction; 
 for I cared not now who knew that I was imder 
 concern for my sins : and above aU, I determined 
 that I would no more indulge in trifling conversa- 
 tion, neither should any man ever see another 
 smile upon my face ; for the terrors of the law en- 
 compassed my soul, coming over me like an ava- 
 lanche, from the text, For every idle word that 
 men shall spealc, they s/iall gwe account thereof in 
 the day of judgment; and how many idle words 
 had I spoken ! 
 
 "This course of duties I adhered to during 
 
BMV. AT.FBED BEHBETr. 25 
 
 eight or teu days most firmly. At one time I 
 had to put my hfoid npoa my month and hold my 
 lips together till I left the company, fearing I 
 might Bay some idle word and thus peril my soul. 
 At length I began to grow hotter, as I ^teemed 
 it, and wondered that God did not convert me. 
 1 was consciouB I needed forgiveness, and thought 
 "I had now arrived at the point where I might 
 expect it; I had done all I cotdd, and had done 
 it again and over again. At this state of my feel- 
 ings, some one meeting me one evening, said, ' E. 
 B. is converted.' "With the soimd of that word," 
 there arose in my hosom a feeling of which till 
 that time I had remained unconscious. I could 
 not have believed my heart was so desperately 
 wicked. For there burst forth a spirit of enmity 
 against God which I had no power to control. I 
 said God is unjust, I am as good as E. B. is. I 
 have prayed as much ; I have attended meetings 
 as much ; I am as much entitled to salvation as 
 he ; and if Grod saves him and leaves me, I hate 
 Him. I wish I could destroy Elm. My heart 
 said, just give me the power that you possess and 
 I will put you off- the throne. I never saw any 
 object which I hated as I then bated my Maker. 
 My misery was extreme; for I plainly saw that 
 God was on the throne, and I was in His hand, 
 
MEMOIK OF 
 
 ejitirely at His disposal ; yet I hated Him. I fe 
 then the pains of hell get hold upon me. ]^o or 
 has had need since to prove to me there was 
 hell ; I found it then in my own experience. . 
 seems that God graciously designed to make n: 
 a monument of His mercy, or He would have d 
 Btroyed me in that awful and blasphemous spir 
 in which I then gloried. I can only say of thi 
 night, let it not be numbered among the days > 
 my life. 
 
 " ISText morning, being May 25, 1798, as the si^ 
 was coming forth, something. seemed to questic 
 me, evidently with reference to the exercises 
 the previous evening, saying, ' What have yc 
 been doing V I said. Fighting against God. ' Bui 
 said the inquirer, 'What has God done?' I r 
 plied. He is going to save E. B. and not m< 
 and I am as good as he is. ' But has God doi 
 you wrong ? Has He not done you good and n 
 evil all the days of yom- life ? Raised you i 
 friends ; taken care of you when sick ; healed yoi 
 given you the Gospel to enj oy V And the goodne 
 of God passed before me with a flood of ligl 
 astonishing and confounding me. I said, God h: 
 done all this. Ah ! more. Yet I have hated Hi 
 with all my heart. Again the inquirer seemed 
 address me : ' Gird youi-self now and meet yo- 
 
own engagement. Xou said, last eyening, that 
 Grod was unjust. Put your finger now upon the 
 instance in which God ever acted unjustly, if you 
 can.' I found myself in trouble. I looked this 
 way and that for evidence, determined to establish 
 the injustice of God; but I utterly failed. It 
 pressed me, and pressed me to the issue ; and I 
 felt that I was condemned. In an instant it burst 
 •* upon my mind, GJod is surely right, and I am 
 wrong. My soul is lost. Ton hare destroyed 
 youi-self; God cannot be blamed. He is clear 
 when He condemneth. Tet I exceedingly wish 
 I could have been saved. The chai-acter of God 
 does not look to me as it did last niglit. Com- 
 panionship with Him looks delightful. I would 
 that I could dwell with Him. But that is now 
 forever impossible ; my presence would spoil 
 Heaven. I dare not ask Him to save me. He 
 may well save E. E. and everybody else ; He will 
 only need me as a monument of His just and holy 
 indignation against sin forever ; and there could 
 not have been a fitter one selected to iUustrate the 
 ■hatefulness of a rebel and the forbearance of God, 
 still, I wish I could have been saved ; thwe ap- 
 peal's something attractive and glorious in the holy 
 society of Heaven. 
 " Again something seemed to say to me, ' How 
 
28 MEMom ov 
 
 do you know but you might have been save< 
 except for the wickedness of last night?' I r 
 fleeted upon my past life, and said, That migl 
 have been possible, but what good to think of 
 now, when my sin then was unto death? Then 
 said to myself, That was you, my wicked hear 
 you put me beyond the reach of God's mercy I 
 the blasphemous indulgence of your enmity again 
 God. And I fell out with myself there, and 
 believe I hated myself then as much as I had Gc 
 the evening previous. I thought there could n 
 be another such an abominable, hateful, loath 
 some wretch in the universe as I was ; I wished 
 could be annihilated ; not that I Avould lose m 
 existence, but the identity of my being; I thought 
 would be ashamed even to go to hell, and be knoM 
 there as Alfred Bennett. It seemed the de^ 
 would be tormenting me, making sport of n: 
 misery, and that justly, on account of my s; 
 against a just and holy God ; I, a worm of tl 
 dust, had dared to blaspheme His name and de: 
 Him. But such a wish I saw was imavailina', 
 had sinned in my own person and I must 1 
 punished in my own person. While reflectir 
 upon the compassion of God, a glow of delig] 
 sprang up within me, which caused a smile upc 
 my face. This alarmed me exceedingly; for 
 
EEV. AllTEED BENNETT. 
 
 thought I had eommitted the impai'donable sin 
 and laughed ia the presence of God. And I said, 
 That was you, my wiched heart. "Why will you 
 longer provohe God ? I know I most go to hell ; 
 there ia no poBsible hope for me ; hnt I would not 
 sin again against God. He is good, ^ad though 
 my poor Bonl is lost, I would not sin any more 
 against Him, It seemed that I could not live 
 through that day ; I had no anticipations of con- 
 tinuing till night upon the face of the earth. In 
 view of this, I said to the family at breakfast, I 
 do not expect to live till night, and shall probably 
 not come in again ; I wish you to say to my 
 parents and others, if need be, there is no hope in 
 my ease ; no mercy for me ; I am lost — -justly 
 lost ; I cannot die without leaving my testimony 
 behind me that God is just. He is right, and I 
 am wrong — altogether wrong; I am my own 
 
 "Thus I went forth to my labor, an object of 
 the deepest self-detestation, not wondering that 
 God should hate me, for I hated myself; I thought 
 the very ti'ees ' on the road-side scowled and 
 lowered at me ; the grass seemed to grudge my 
 touch as I walked. Kature appeared as if at war 
 with me on account of my wickedness. My bur- 
 den seemed to weigh a ton, and I was sinking 
 3* 
 
30 MEMOIE OF 
 
 gradually down, down, down to the pit without a 
 bottom. But suddenly the strings seemed to 
 break, and it slid off my burdened soul; and, 
 wonderful to relate! starting up, I found, as it 
 appeared to me, all nature was changed and I was 
 in a new world. The sun shone with a splendor of 
 which I had before no conception. The trees, 
 waving in beauty, had not begrudged me exist- 
 ence, nor the grass ;^ they were only praising their 
 Maker and acting up to their nature and being. 
 Some passages of scripture, also, (Jame sweetly into 
 my mind ; such as these : He was made sin for 
 us, who hnew no sin, that we might ie made tJie 
 righteousness of God in Him. Me iare our sins 
 in His own tody on the tree. And something 
 whispered sweetly to my soul: This is the way 
 God saves sinners ; Jesus Christ died for tlum. 
 My soul melted and became like water. I said, 
 O blessed Jesus ! Thou art altogether lovely ! Is 
 it possible that Thou canst have mercy on such a 
 rebellious, sinful worm! And while considering 
 the love of God and the plan of salvation revealed 
 by the Lord Jesus Christ, my "feoul was lifted 
 above the world ; I laid down my implements of 
 husbandry, for it seemed to mo I would not have 
 stooped down to pick up the world ; I was over- 
 whelmed with joy, and said, O that I could make 
 
EEV. AUs^EED EENKEIT. 31 
 
 the world hear! How I would tell them about 
 Jesns Christ dying for sinners ! I immediately 
 went to the neai-est house, not doubting that they 
 would believe me when I told them what was to 
 me manifest of the glory of God. But they 
 seemed alarmed. The woman asked me a question 
 which led me to suppose she thought the change was 
 in me (for up to this time I had conceived that it 
 was in the real appearance of the world); and I 
 said, What if it be true that this change is only 
 in me and this prove all delusion now? Still, 
 thought I, it is a happy delusion, and I cannot 
 give it up yet. I left and went to my father's, 
 where I found some congenial spirits who under- 
 stood the real import of such language. Froai 
 thence I sought E. E., and spent the day most 
 happily &oni house to house in company with 
 converts. I loved God ; I loved the Saviour ; and 
 it was the high purpose of my soul to live for Eia 
 glory. 
 
 "In this resolution I was finrdy settled. For 
 why should I transgress the law of God again? 
 Why not live to please Him ; then die to praise 
 Him ? Sin seemed too degrading to be thought of 
 by such a favored one, aa it now appeared I had 
 been. With this happy frame of mind I toot my 
 place in social worship, exhorting the godly to 
 
33 MEMOIE OF 
 
 hold fast their profession without waveringj and 
 sinners to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. In Him there seemed such glorious ful- 
 ness; He was able to save to the uttermost all 
 that came unto God by Him." 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 A DEEAM. 
 
 At this point "a mysterious event occurred, 
 which cast a dark shadow over his spiritual hopes 
 for many years. Different views will doubtless be 
 entertained respecting its nature ; but affecting so 
 deeply as it did his religious character and enjoy- 
 ments, it claims a conspicuous place in the annals 
 of his life. The fervor of his imagination, indeed, 
 combined with emotions of heart capable of the 
 most intense excitement, is suflBciently mai-ked in 
 the history of his conversion, and must have re- 
 minded the intelligent reader of the peculiarities so 
 strikingly developed in the character of Bunyan, 
 
 as delineated in his inimitable autobiography 
 
 grace abounding to the chief of sinners. But the 
 exercises of his mind previous to the night here 
 
EBV. ALFEED BEEnTETT. 33 
 
 referred to, during the month which had now 
 elapsed smce Mb conversion, were those of joyM 
 fruits and hope, and it does not appear that toy 
 thing had occurred which, by the ordinary laws 
 of mental action, would naturally lead to such a 
 dream. Not one dark hour had dimmed his view 
 of Christ, or thrown its baleful shade over his 
 prospects of blessedness. 
 
 "One night," he" remarked, "I retired to rest as 
 usual, and in my sleep thought I was dead. I 
 eould look back, and see them preparing to hury 
 my body. It seemed to me I was conscious that 
 I was dead,' but I was miserable. I had come up 
 almost to heaven, but stepped one stejj short of'it, 
 and waa sinking gradually but certainly down to 
 hell. I did not see God, nor heaven, nor hell; 
 but was in indescribable anguish of spirit through 
 fear of the great white throne and Him that sat 
 upon it, which appeared to be approaching in all 
 its terroi-s. LooMng up, I said. There ! He is 
 coming. The heavens wUl break, and I shall see 
 Him, and He will frown upon me. At this mo- 
 ment my father passed me. He was unspeakably 
 happy in anticipation of the very thing which I 
 di-eaded — ^the coming of the Jnst One. We recog- 
 nized the relations which had existed, but they 
 remained no longer; all natural affections had 
 
34: MBMOIE OF 
 
 ceased on the part of both. And here eternity 
 seemed to open to my mind as it is, and as, it 
 now seems to me, it wUl appear again in reality — • 
 endless, boundless. On the right hand, the state 
 of the righteous, on the left hand, the condition 
 of the wicked, was unalterably fixed; God's 
 immutable purpose being the great gulph be- 
 tween. Here I awoke, and was in such a state 
 of nervous agitation, that the bed was rocking 
 beneath me. 
 
 " Something seemed immediately to say, ' You 
 are a hypocrite.' My heart replied, I fear I am. 
 ' Why yes,' said the accuser, ' God has just shown 
 it to you,' and my trembling soul fell in with the 
 suggestion. I said. Woe is me ! I am undone ! 
 Darkness came over my mind, dense as that over 
 Egypt ; it was darkness that could be felt. My 
 comfort in religion was gone, for I had no hope. 
 My pleasures in this life were lost, for I had nothing 
 worth living for. My prospects were all blasted. 
 I was but almost a Christian, and should never be 
 permitted to enter with joy the pearly gates, and 
 tread the golden streets of the New Jerusalem. 
 The scene was changed. From the heights of the 
 most buoyant hope, I was cast down to the depths 
 of despair. My friends sought to know the cause. 
 I could only say, I am deceived ; I am a hypocrite ; 
 
E^V. ALFRED EENHETT. 35 
 
 I am lost. I dared*Jiot reveal to them the reason ; 
 for, I thought, these young converts are Christians 
 — I have no doubt of that ; and this was not given 
 for their benefit, hut for mine. K they should see 
 that I am not a Chriatian, they might douht the 
 reality of their own exercises, and give themselves 
 needless sorrow. I kept my place in the room 
 for prayer, laboring to establish Christians, warn- 
 ing them of the danger of deception, exhorting all 
 to a careful, Scriptural, prayerful examination of 
 their hope, and entreating sinners to be reconciled 
 to God, with more fervency than ever before. 
 For, I thought, if I must be finally lost, I would 
 not have them. "Wlien godly ministers preached, 
 the description they gave of the righteous and 
 their prospects was to me glowing and animating ; 
 lay heart would warm under it. But still it was 
 not for me ; I was but a hypocrite, and might not 
 take the children's bread; I had no right to be 
 in their society, however desirable it appeared. 
 And when they described the wicked and their 
 awful doom, my soul revolted at the thought of 
 eternal companionship with them, for I loathed 
 sin, I said, "Would God I could have been saved 
 from such a doom ! 
 
 " Thus I would go home, finding nothing to re- 
 fresh my wounded, sinking, perishing soul, and 
 
36 MEMOIE OF 
 
 for three months I had no quiet. A Christian's 
 hope appeared to be forbidden : God had said I 
 must not indulge it. Still sin was a burden to me, 
 and it was my delight to pray and mingle with 
 Christians and read the Holy Scriptures. I had 
 continual sorrow at my heart, and was sinking into 
 a settled melancholy. My parents and friends, 
 with much patience and affection, sought to remove 
 the difficulty, fearing that I should become derang- 
 ed imder it ; but I strove the rather to fortify my- 
 self, and resist their kindest efforts. At last my 
 mother said, ' Hy son, do you not think you have 
 had light V I admitted I had, and great light too. 
 She replied, 'Zwe lop then to the light you have 
 hadP This was effectual. I saw at a glance that, 
 let me go to heaven or hell at last, it was my duty 
 to serve God : I had light enough to dii-ect my 
 course in that. I saw that for a man to serve 
 God because he was going to heaven, was mere 
 selfishness. It was my duty to serve God in holi- 
 ness, leaving my future destiny in His keeping 
 entirely. This led me at once into the perform- 
 ance of all the duties enjoined upon a Christian. 
 I had light enough to see that His claims upon me 
 were paramount. After this, some little glimpse 
 of hope would occasionally appear to my mind, 
 but vanish almost as soon as seen. In this state 
 
37 
 
 of anxiety r^pecting my spiritual condition, my 
 mind continued about fifteen years, 
 
 "Tliis event in my religious experience has 
 been seldom referred to duiing my life ; and if I 
 am here asked, after fifty years' obseiTation and 
 reflection, what ia my own opinion of it, I must 
 answer ; Tliere can be but two views taken of the 
 matter. The impression it made upon me waa 
 either true or not true. If the former, then I am 
 what it at that time seemed I was, a hypocrite, a 
 deceived person, lost to ail hope of heaven forever. 
 And if this he so, it is just. God has shown me 
 that I have destroyed myself ; though it is a most ■ 
 fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living 
 God, a subject of TTig punishment. If it was not 
 true, then it was directed to exercise my mind, as 
 a diseipKnary antidote against the uprisings of 
 my naturally volatile disposition, and aa a thorn 
 in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, to 
 keep in check those worlrings of spmtual piide 
 which might otherwise have proved my ruin. 
 
 "After my public profession of Christ," he con- 
 tinues, "fearful forebodings of my future ruin 
 would still stand as a sentinel at the presentment 
 of every duty, to keep me back fi-om its perform- 
 ance ; and I went as a man with a rope about his 
 neck, eonsciouB of deservrag only execution, yet 
 i 
 
38 MEMOIE OK 
 
 desirous of serving and pleasing God. "With little 
 hope of success, and much less of my personal sal- 
 vation, I entered the ministry, impelled only by 
 the all-controUing principle of acting up to the 
 light given me. ' For,' I said, ' it is my duty to 
 endeavor to prevent others from going down to 
 destruction, if I must at last go thither myself.' 
 Thus shut out from hope, I was urged to duty by 
 the sternness of circumstances, scarcely free for 
 an hour at a time from the awful apprehensions 
 arising from the suggestion ever sounding in my 
 ears, ' You are a hypocrite, you are a hypocrite.' 
 Years passed on with fearful conflicts and fore- 
 bodings in my own soul, unknown to any human 
 being.. Occasions occm-red when my mind en- 
 joyed enlargement, peculiar comfort in prayer 
 and in the ministration of the Word. This would 
 cheer me for the time. I would say. Is it not 
 possible after all that I am a Christian ? I will 
 be candid in the examination of the matter, and 
 not look only on the dark side. I have enjoyed 
 comfort in my own soul, both in private exercises 
 and the public labors of the ministry. The evi- 
 dence is before me that the church has been built 
 up and prospered under my labors ; sinners, also, 
 have been converted and added to the church, 
 making sound and healthy members. And is thia 
 
SEV. ALFRED BEmJEIT. 3» 
 
 no evidence? Would God thus show me favor if 
 I was not His child? Then it -would return upon 
 me, What evidence is ^1 this ? Do not the Scrip- 
 tures Bay, T7ie sinranger shall feed, yowr flocJcs, a/nd 
 the sons of the aUen shMl he yowr vme-dressers ? 
 This also aceorde with the ordinary workings of 
 nature. Does not tKe farmer have his ploughs, and 
 drags, and implements of culture, to fit the soil and 
 aid in maturing his crop ? But when their worh 
 is done, they are broken to pieces and barn6d up. 
 So it will be with you when God has done with 
 your service. Did he not speak the truth by 
 Balaam, although he loved the wages of unrighte- 
 ousness, and died among the profane ? Was not 
 Saul among the prophets for a time, although he 
 sought to witches before he died ? Had not the 
 Saviour a Judas in His company, till he accom- 
 plished as an hii-eling his day, when he died, and 
 went to his own place ? What right, then, have 
 you to think you are a Christian because of these 
 incidental tokens of uaefolness ? Thus was I har- 
 assed with fears, which constantly kept me hum- 
 ble at the feet of Christ. I could do nothing 
 without Him, 
 
 "Dm-ing those seasons of revival which were 
 experienced in Homer, my mind would be so m:uch 
 engrossed with, the welfai-e of others, that I had no 
 
40 MEMOm OF 
 
 time to devote to my own state. Although, in- 
 wardly there were heavy conflicts which wasted 
 my physical strength, I dareid not reveal the secret 
 of my suffering to the people : it seemed that it 
 could do no good, and it might do much harm. 
 Now, it was like the secret whisperings of an 
 enemy, piercing through every "avenue of my soul ; 
 and again, it would be a loud and boisterous as- 
 sault, like an army rushing to victory, and saying 
 with trumpet tones, What right have you here ? 
 Tou are a hypocrite. And my quivering heart 
 would answer, I fear I am. The scenes of that 
 night would again vividly pass before my mind 
 and sink me in despair. Thus I went bowing 
 under sorrows, goaded with fears, and would often 
 cry. Thou Lamb of God ! to whom should I go, 
 but unto Thee ? Thou hast the words of eternal 
 life. My soul clings to Thy cross, and pleads Thy 
 precious, pardoning blood. "With Thee to sustain 
 me, I will venture on. In the midst of these har- 
 rowing sensations, there* would be occasionally a 
 temporary relief. Perhaps during the public ex- 
 ercises of the Sabbath, I would forget myself, lost 
 in the charms of the Saviom*. I would have great 
 freedom in prayer, and peculiar nearness to the 
 Throne ; unusual light and power would attend the 
 opening of the Scriptui-es, aiding me in the argu- 
 
EET. ALESED BENHETT. " 41 
 
 ment and carrjiiig me beyond myself in tlie 
 Wessed work of pi-eacliing the Gospel of the grace 
 of G-od. Heaven would appear with such bright- 
 ness, as the place where God reigns and Jesna 
 dwells, that I would urge the saiuts to look upward 
 and take courage, press on and be faithful unto 
 death ; the eonflicE would soon be over, and then, 
 oh then 1 what a rest remained beyond ! "What 
 rejoicings would fill the bosoms of saints in that 
 world of glory ! Ity heart would yearn over sin- 
 ners. "With overwhelming interest in my own 
 sonl, I urged upon them arguments to repent and 
 believe the Gospel, till many in the congregation 
 would be melted into teal's ; and I would say, 
 Sirw shall Tffvue thee wp, Ephrmrn, f while still 
 there would be an inward consciousness that I had 
 discharged my duty, and should they perish, 1 
 waa pm-e from their blood. Yet immediately after 
 this, pei'haps while some brother was closing the 
 meeting by prayer, it would come rushing upon 
 me, like a tornado : ' Ton have been telling Chris- 
 tians about the blessedness of Heaven, but you 
 wUl never go there ; it is not for you. Ton ai'e a 
 hypocrite.' And my spirit would fall in with the 
 suggestion, and again that night and its dream 
 would pass with terrible distinctDess before me. 
 I would be manacled and carried back to that ex- 
 4* 
 
42 MEMOIE OF 
 
 ercise which filled me with such darkness and 
 confusion, and before the brother had closed his 
 prayer, my thoughts would be in such tumult, 
 that I could not tell what to say in dismissing the 
 assembly. Fearing I niight use some improper 
 expression, I took much pains to fix firmly in my 
 mind the benediction of the apostle : The grace of 
 ov/r Lord Jesus Christ, the love of Ood, and the 
 communion of the Holy Ohost, he with you all. 
 Amen. 
 
 " Eound thus, hand and foot, I knew not what 
 to do, nor whither to fly. I dreaded appointments 
 to preach ; and time passed on with little or no 
 comfort in my own soul in the work of the minis- 
 try. Sometimes encouragement came from this 
 expression ; Se Ttnoweth the way that I take, and 
 when He hath tried me I shall come forth liJca 
 gold. Again, I was distressed and cast down lest 
 He should say — and if He did, I knew it would 
 be just — as He did to Israel when in the hand of 
 their enemies : Why seek ye unto me ? Seek ye 
 unto the gods that ye have chosen; for I will de- 
 liver you no more. It seemed to settle, at length, 
 like a disease upon my mind, imtil my health gave 
 way under it. My appetite and strength failed. 
 It was as an incubus constantly pressing upon me 
 above strength, so that I despaired of life. 
 
KEV. AIifEED BEKNETE. 43 
 
 "One afternoon, after iiaving preacied in a 
 neighboring town and enjoyed much comfort du- 
 ring the exercise, darkness had as usual succeeded, 
 mating me exceedingly nervous. About dusk 
 two men called at the house whei'e I was enter- 
 tained, to obtain refreshment for the night, I was 
 introduced to them as a Baptist ministei' who had 
 preached that afternoon in the neighborhood. 
 They said in return, 'We are very glad to meet 
 you, sir, and become acquainted. "We, also, are 
 friends of the Lord Jesus Christ, members of the 
 Presbyterian denomination. We are from the 
 State of Vermont, on our way down the Ohio 
 river into the new country.' I replied, I do not ■ 
 know what advantage it can be to you to make 
 my acquaintance; for I am but a hypocrite at 
 Lest, There, thought I, what did I say that for ? 
 Fool that I was, to utter that expression. If it is 
 true, I need not have told them of it; they are 
 strangers. Too many are disposed now to make 
 accusations against us as a denomination. These 
 men, as they go their way, may hear reproaches 
 cast upon us, and wUl join the accusere, saying, 
 no doubt these things are so, for as we came 
 thi-ough the State of New York, we fell in with a 
 " Baptist mirriater in reputable standing who hon- 
 estly told us he was nothing but a hypocrite. The 
 
44 MEMOIE OF 
 
 expression I had used so preyed upon my mind, 
 lest it might become matter of reproach to the 
 cause, that I resolved to give them the full reasons 
 for it; thinking, also, that as they were men of 
 experience, something might be suggested to my 
 benefit, I therefore rehearsed to them in detail 
 the exercise I had in my sleep. They listened 
 with attention, and at the close one of them look- 
 ing at the other said, ' Do you believe a Christian 
 ever felt the pains of hell?' 'Ifo,' replied his 
 companion, ' I do not.' ' l^or I either,' said the 
 first, with a significant nod of the head and wink 
 of the eye. Now, thought I, my case is hopeless. 
 For I am sure I have tasted the bitterness of the 
 cup of sorrow, and these men, who are compe- 
 tent to judge, do not believe- I am a Christian. 
 My friends, when at any time I have hinted at the 
 thing, have wondered that I should be so foolish 
 as to let a dream trouble me so : but these men 
 are candid, they have no interest in the matter, 
 and have judged impartially. Thus my sorrows 
 increased and the floods overwhelmed my soul. 
 For several weeks my mind was a prey to every 
 alarming thought. I did not so much dread the 
 pains of hell, as I did the loss of holy society : my 
 fear was to be shut out of Heaven. 
 "One day, while musing, these words came 
 
EEV. AUEED BEBMETT. 45 
 
 suddenly with power upon my mind : Tfie pains 
 of hell gat hold upon me ; Z found trovhle and 
 sorrow. It seemed to lift me a thousand feet high 
 in a moment ; for I said, David was certainly a 
 Baint. Yet he says the pains of hell gat hold upon 
 him, and who knows but I Tnay be a Christian yet ! 
 I had no evidence that I was, but the possibility 
 that I might he, the hare idea that there was a 
 chance of my being a Christian, was sweeter and 
 more precious to my soul than all the pleasures of 
 earth or the gold in a thousand miues. From this 
 time my miod underwent a great change in regard 
 to my spiritual state. It became a mount of ob- 
 servation. I thought, I have now been for many 
 years filled with apprehensions respecting my fu- 
 ture welfare. My anxieties have been intense. A 
 careful survey and review of my evidences of 
 Christian character has been carried as far as it is 
 possible for me to carry it this side of positive 
 certainty, and what have I gained ? It has broken 
 my rest and wasted my strength. I will therefore 
 give up this long-agitated question of my future 
 happiness or misery, leaving my soul in the hands 
 of God, to he disposed of by Him. I will endeavor 
 to live in such a manner that I may enjoy the 
 company of the saints in this life, even if I am 
 excluded from them in another. My mind at once 
 
46 MEMOIE OF 
 
 became more calm and steadfast in the exercise of 
 confidence in Jesus Christ. About the same time, 
 also, the remark was made in my hearing by a 
 Christian friend whose judgment I much respect- 
 ed, that people would doubtless have in another 
 world the company of such as they preferred in 
 this. I was greatly encouraged by this thought ; 
 for I certainly knew that here I loved Christian 
 society best. Thus, through the rich grace of oxti 
 Lord Jesus Christ, I obtained such a victory over 
 the temptation as, in a great measure, to secure a 
 stable peace; notwithstanding, even to this day, 
 which is more than fifty j^ears, the impressions 
 of that night will at times distress me. 
 
 " In reflection upon this trial, I have often been 
 led to remark that God has brought from it signal 
 good to others in my ministry. During those 
 seasons of revival which were so richly experienced 
 here, I had frequentr occasion to scrutinize the 
 workings of the depraved heart, and detect in 
 others the various deceptive windings of sin, and 
 pride, and unbelief, with which I had become fa- 
 miliar in my own exercises. It was thus of much 
 service to me in helping young converts to settle 
 upon a right foundation, and preventing deceived 
 souls and hypocrites from taking shelter in some 
 refuge of lies. After service one Sabbath, an 
 
EEV. ALFHED BENBETT. iT 
 
 honest, sincere Boul came to me and said, 'Ton 
 liave taken away to-day all tlie hope I hare that I 
 am a Christian.' I replied, M.y dear young friend, 
 if you have no hetter hope than that, the sooner 
 you are rid of it the better. A Christian's hope 
 is based on Jesua Christ and sustained by the 
 truth; therefore the miniBtry of the Gospel will 
 not harm it, but strengthen it. Go to yom- home 
 now ; take your Bible and enter your closet, and 
 let this question be settled between God and your 
 soul. This issued in a most blessed state of con- 
 fidence in Christ, which was attained very soon 
 aftei'. Again, when a disposition was manifested 
 among yoimg converts to enter the church, I woidd 
 take occasion to bring before them the solemnity 
 and importance of such a relation, showing the 
 awful condition of a soul there, if mistaken in the 
 foundation of its hope ; because, having obtained 
 fellowship with the church as a Christian, there 
 was imminent danger of slmnbering over its true 
 state, to its eternal desti'uction. This course, while 
 it put them upon great self-examination respecting 
 their own case, also tended to elevate the character 
 of the chnrch, both in their estimation and in the 
 eyes of the world ; fixing the impression upon 
 every mind that there could be no possible good 
 resulting from a connection with it as membei^, 
 
48 MEMOIE OF 
 
 unless the Spirit of Christ reigned within the 
 heart." 
 
 This narrative has anticipated, in the order of 
 time, much that is now to follow, but it was 
 deemed best to present the remarkable exercise 
 here related, with its effects at one view. The 
 reader will, therefore, return to the scenes of 
 revival in Mansfield. 
 
 The spiritual despondency occasioned by the 
 painful impressions of this dream was not allowed 
 to interfere with the discharge of Christian duties. 
 Settled firmly in the principle that, however it 
 might please God to dispose of him at last, though 
 his portion should be assigned among the lost, as 
 he felt it might justly be, it was still his solemn 
 duty to devote himself, with every faculty of his 
 soul, to the service of God ; he continued to fill the 
 position of an active Christian, earnestly engaged 
 in the work of religion and the scenes of stin'ing 
 spiritual interest around him. He saw many 
 others pass from the agonies of conviction and 
 despair into the blessedness of pardon and hope. 
 The songs of praise from new-born souls were con- 
 tinually sounding in his ears, and revived saints 
 who had long been walking in darkness, filled 
 now with clearer and richer anticipations of enter- 
 ing the presence of God, spake of joys unutterable 
 
and fnll of glory. Bnt the shades of death himg 
 with dark and portentous gloom over the future 
 before him. There was to his ear a holy melody 
 in the praises of Qod, while yet he anticipated, 
 with awful dread, an eternity amidst wailing and 
 gnashing of teeth. His soul joined -wph heavenly 
 fervor in the supplications which rose to Him 
 " within the veil," and longed for that hope of the 
 childi-en of God which is fastened there upon the 
 eternal throne ; but fear still drove him as an 
 outcast even from the mercy-seat. He loved the 
 companionship of the saints far ahove all worldly 
 associations, and it was the prospect of being 
 separated forever from their holy society and 
 mingling with the wicked, which formed the chief 
 ingredient in his prospective cup of njiseiy. lite 
 good Mr. Fearing, whose character is described 
 with such graphic power in the Pilgrim's Progress, 
 he never thought of tm-ning back to the world. 
 The paths of sin had lost their attraction. " Diffi- 
 culties, lions, or Vanity Fair, he feai-ed not at all ; 
 it was only sin, death, and hell, that were to him 
 a terror, because he had doubts about his interest 
 in that celestial coimtry." 
 
 He was baptized on the first Sabbath inFebruary, 
 1800, and united with the Baptist church in 
 Hampton, Conn., — then nuder the pastoral care 
 
50 MEMOnt OB' 
 
 of Eev. Abel Palmer. This step was taken, as he 
 remarked, only "after strong conflicts of mind, 
 much self-examination, and fervent prayer and 
 wrestlings with God for direction." 
 
 CHAPTER IT. 
 
 ENTEANCE OH THE MINISTET. 
 
 Me. Bennett was united in marriage with Itiss 
 Ehoda Grow, a daughter of Deacon Thomas Grow, 
 of Hampton, in ]!!^ovember, 1802. 
 
 A general spirit of emigration was beginning at 
 that time to prevail in New England, and its 
 course turned mainly towards Central and Western 
 New York. That region was then "the "West" 
 and much of it which is filled now with an active, 
 intelligent population, and covered with the pro- 
 ductions of industry and art, was an unbroken 
 wilderness. Nearly all the cities west of Albany, 
 whose streets are at this day thronged with a busy 
 populace and lined with the mansions of opulence 
 and refinement, were then unbuilt. No steam- 
 boat had yet plied upon the waters of the Hudson, 
 
EEV. ALFSED SESSEHT. 51 
 
 or disturbed the quiet of the Indian in his himtiiig 
 groundB upon the lakes ; and the most enthusiastic 
 imagination had not conceived the magnificent 
 palaces which now float there. The iron horses 
 which fly through -the length and breadth of that 
 country, and the canals hearing upon their bosoms 
 the wealth of a nation, had not once entered the 
 thought of man. But the emigrant, with his ox- 
 team, conveying the whole of his earthly possee- 
 sionB, might be seen threading his way slowly 
 through the wilderness, directed often only by 
 marked trees to the place of his deetinati»n. 
 Here and there a log cabin, with a small clearing 
 around it, gave indications of the hand of industry 
 and civilization ; while a tavern and a rudely con- 
 structed school-house, which served also for a 
 church, formed the nucleus of some ftiture village. 
 The hardy adventurer here contended with the 
 forests for subsistence ; and in much privation, 
 ^vith vigorous arm secured for himself a habitation 
 and an earthly competence. 
 
 Many of these emigrants were from the best 
 .families of New England. They brought with 
 them, in freq^uent instances, the religious fruits 
 and elevated morality which characterized the 
 home of their fathers. The institutions of religion 
 were immediately established among them. Often 
 
52 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was the family found, remote from other dwellings, 
 gathered morning and evening aromid the domestic 
 altar; while on the Sabbath, the neighbors for 
 miles rotmd, coming through the forests to some 
 appointed place, would assemble for praise and 
 prayer. Sermons they seldom had, except when 
 read by some of their number from the printed 
 volume ; but their prayers went up no less fer- 
 vently before the throne, and the earnest exhortar 
 tion fell with the greater sweetness upon the soul. 
 'Not a few are the villages and towns in Central 
 New York on which the godly principles and 
 moral habits of these early settlers have left a holy 
 impress that is not yet effaced : the order, intelli- 
 gence, and piety still apparent are a sacred legacy 
 which their children now enjoy. 
 
 Mr. Bennett became a resident of the town of 
 Homer, Cortland (then Onondaga) Co., N. T., in 
 February, 1803. 
 
 That region was then compai-atively a wilder- 
 ness. The first family had taken up its residence 
 there in 1793; and in the following year, being 
 joined by a few others, mostly religious people, 
 from Connecticut and Massachusetts, meetings for 
 prayer and exhortation were established, in which 
 all united. Churches, however, were subse- 
 quently formed. When Mr. Bennett anived, no 
 
EEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 53 
 
 Louse of worsMp had been built; the Baptist 
 chorch, which was the fii-st organized in the town 
 of any denomination, worshipped in private dwell- 
 ings, and the Congregational church met in the 
 only framed building in the Tillage (with one 
 exception), which was also nsed as a town and 
 school house. Here he hegan life as a farmer, in 
 a log-house, with the forests aroimd him to be 
 felled by his own arm. 
 
 The little Baptist church, with which he united 
 in April, 1804, was subjected to much trial in its 
 early history. It was rarely they enjoyed the 
 ministry of the "Word; and, with few esperienced 
 members, widely scattered and exposed to all the 
 temptation as weU as privation of a new country, 
 it may weU be supposed that, though gifted with 
 some of the excellent of the earth, there were some 
 also whom Satan would lead astray. In a letter 
 directed to his brother Alvin, dated Homer, Sept. 
 S, 1804, ai'e the following remarks : 
 
 " I am exceedingly happy to learn that God has 
 deigned to visit you in that country and display 
 Bome of His glorious perfections ; that the cries of 
 the wounded and the shouts of those who sing for 
 joy have been heard among you, O that I could 
 say that this is the case here ! But, alas, quite the 
 contrary. Iniquity abounds, and the love of many, 
 5* 
 
5i MEMOIE OF 
 
 who appeared to be zealous advocates of Jesus, 
 grows cold ; some deserting the cause, others halt- 
 ing between two opinions. Infidelity rears its 
 head, and what Truth calls damnable heresies are 
 fast creeping in among us. As a people, we are — 
 I had like to have said, on the eve of destruction. 
 But I recaE it ; for the foundation standeth sui-e. 
 For God the Omnipotent Lord is at the helm of 
 government, and He cometh upon princes as 
 upon mortar and as the potter kneadeth clay, 
 smiling at the weak efforts of sin and the powers 
 of darkness to oppose Him. For of the increase 
 of His government and peace there shall be no 
 end." 
 
 The country was then in almost primitive wild- 
 ness. Dense forests extended over large tracts, as 
 yet unbroken by the hand of civilization, from 
 whose recesses the bear and the fox often issued, 
 and made depredations in the bai-nyards of the 
 scattered settlers. Amusing incidents are handed 
 down of the warfare between the early pioneers 
 and the wild animals which prowled around their 
 habitations. On one occasion, it is related, a husre 
 bear having come out at nightfall from a neigh- 
 boring thicket and carried off a lai-ge hog, Mr. 
 Beimett hearing the alarm hastily took his gun 
 wd went in chase. It was loaded only with buck- 
 
KEV. AUKED BENNETT. 55 
 
 Bhot, and having no balls at hand he thi-nat the 
 ramrod into the barrel as a substitute. The bear, 
 finding itself pursued, turned and showed a dis- 
 position to do battle for bis prey. Eis pursuer 
 fii-ed, and the ramrod passing directly through the 
 animal was lost in the ground. The beast fell 
 liteless and Tvas borne home in triumph by the 
 victor. Circmnstanees of this character were not 
 uncommon, but this will suffice to illustrate the 
 condition of the country at that peiiod. 
 
 Mr. Bennett entertained the thought of entering 
 the ministry with great reluctance ; not from any 
 personal aversion to it, but from a painful sense of 
 his deficiency in Christian attainment and literaiy 
 culture. He had received nothing more than the 
 mere rudiments of an English education, and, de- 
 void of scholastic accomplishments and mental 
 discipline, and compelled to rely upon the labor of 
 bis bauds for temporal support, be must be thrown, 
 in his pulpit efforts solely upon the native vigor 
 of his intellect and the teachings of the Spirit of 
 God. It was only after nearly two years of 
 severe mental conflict, he yielded to bis convic- 
 tions of duty and became a public minister of the 
 
 The Baptists wei'e then few and feeble. Eccle- 
 siastical' oppression in New England, which Bought 
 
56 MEMOIE Off 
 
 to crush them, had not yet ceased. With few 
 learned men in the ministry and little control of 
 the press, the great truths for which they are dis- 
 tinguished were imperfectly understood and widely 
 misrepresented. The vital principle of religious 
 liberty, for which they had sti^ggled almost alone 
 for many centuries, though it was now inscribed 
 upon the national constitution and was rapidly 
 effacing from the statute book enactments which 
 invaded the freedom of conscience, had not yet 
 thoroughly imbued the minds of even good men , 
 and many were the annoyances and persecutiona 
 to which at that time persons were often subjected 
 who ventured to unite with them. It was not 
 Tmfrequent that the public avowal of their ob- 
 noxious tenets involved the confessor in general 
 odium, the loss of personal friendships, and even 
 the dissolution of family ties. The early annals 
 of nearly aU the churches' in this countiy present 
 constant illustrations of the intolerance and bigotry 
 experienced at the hands of men endowed with 
 many excellencies of religious chai'acter, but pro- 
 fessing a different ecclesiastical faith. Under such 
 circumstances, the position of a minister, it may 
 well be supposed, was one in nowise to be coveted 
 either for its ease, its popularity, or its emolu- 
 ments ; and the men who entered upon it were 
 
EEV, AlFEED BEaSKETT. 57 
 
 ordinarily impelled by an ardent loYe of Bools and 
 convictions wrought mtliin them by the Spirit of 
 God which they coidd not resist. 
 
 The exercises throngh which his mind passed 
 in reference to entering the ministry, he related to 
 his pastor before his death nearly in the following 
 words : 
 
 "The work of the ministry had pecnliar attrac- 
 tions for me, even in the most thoughtless and 
 wildest period of my youth. It would often rise 
 in my mind, that I cotdd have been a minister ! 
 I cared not who obtained political distinction, or 
 wealth, or worldly honor, so I could have preached 
 the Gospel. But this was impossible, as the Con- 
 gregational church in which I was -reared allowed 
 none to be put into that office except such as had 
 enjoyed collegiate advantages. Yet for my own 
 amusement I would often on the Sabbath, when 
 the preacher had read his test and was making 
 some preliminary remarks, take the subject and 
 spread it out and an-ange it for discussion. Some- 
 times I found myself very happily agreeing with 
 him in the arrangement, at others, I at once saw 
 my mistake in making the division, as he opened 
 it; and then again, I would say, NowEev. sir, 
 you have not got that subject right; you cannot 
 preach so. 
 
58 MEMOIE OK 
 
 " After I had obtained hope in Christ, my mind 
 etyi much desired the work of the ministry ; for 
 interests now appeared associated with it which 
 were spiritual and eternal. But it still seemed 
 impossible for me to attain to it; the work ap- 
 peared so holy, and I looked so vile in my own 
 eyes, that it forbid my ever reaching it ; I therefore 
 dismissed the matter from my mind, as useless to 
 think of, was married, and removed to Homer, 
 and locating myself as a citizen, engaged in sub- 
 duing the forests and tilling the soil for my sup- 
 port. My course, I supposed, was fixed for life ; 
 and lest impressions in relation to the ministry 
 should again interrupt me I resolved on my first 
 coming into the town to take no pai't in religious 
 services, but live in quiet, endeavoring to maintain 
 a fair religious character. It so fell out, however, 
 that soon after, in attending meeting with the little 
 Baptist church in the village, there were only a 
 very few persons present, and I was called to take 
 part in the service and offer prayer. I objected, 
 but the good sister who called on me so reasoned 
 the matter that conviction fastened on my mind, 
 and before the season closed I was again happy 
 in the discharge of duty. After this I was ex- 
 pected to take part with my brethren in reading 
 the Scriptures, exhortation, ajid prayer on the Sab- 
 
EEV. AunCED BEHHETT. 59 
 
 bath, as there was then little preaching, and sermons 
 were few and far between. 
 
 " For a time my mind was satisfied. At length 
 the suggestion came upon me : With, wliom Jiast 
 thou left those few she&p in the wilderness f I 
 would repel it, but again it wonld return : With 
 whrni hast thou left those few she&p in the wilder- 
 ness ? And it would be renewed with inereasing 
 force, aa if some one spoke behind me, bo that I 
 would instinctively turn my head : With whom 
 hast thou left those few she&p im, the wUdsmesa f 
 I would still reply, God has a little flock here and 
 I would gladly feed them, but I cannot ; I have 
 nothing for them. And this wde repeated perhaps 
 a hundred times, and often ten times a day it 
 would come bursting into my mind till my atten- 
 tion was completely absorbed. Also in my musings, 
 the state of sinners around would arrest my thought. 
 The people were coming from the East, invited 
 by the pleasantness of the situation, the fertOity 
 of the soil, and the prospects of gain ; but as money 
 was tiie great object, they were engrossed with 
 the cares of this life, the deceitfuln^s of riches, 
 and the lust of other things. I said, Surely they 
 will lose their souls unless there be one to wmh 
 them of danger and direct tiiem to Jesus the inend . 
 of sinners. But I have no influence ; they would 
 
60 MEMOIE OF 
 
 not believe me. Should I attempt to warn tliem 
 they might say, Is Sand also cmwng the projpJiets ? 
 The work is too great ; I cannot perform it. One 
 day, while reflecting on the state of the people and 
 the prospects of the church, the thought rushed 
 upon my mind with great force, Tou wiU yet have 
 to preach. At this my heart strongly revolted. 
 I thought, God knows that I wished to be a minis- 
 ter, and should have felt honored to be intro- 
 duced into that work under circumstances which 
 would have enabled me to rise to a mediocrity ol 
 standing in it. But with my limited education, 
 no schools to improve my mind, no elder ministers 
 to counsel me, no library ; let me do the best I can 
 under all these embarrassments here in the wilder- 
 ness, I shall be nothing more than a miaerable, 
 insignificant preacher; and I will not. Lord, I 
 am willing to exhort, or pray, or devote my time 
 otherwise to aid the little church, as a brother; 
 but I can go no further. The subject, however, 
 could not be thus thrown off. I dm-st not pray 
 God to show me my duty for fear He would show 
 me the ministry. Having then no other books in 
 the house but a Bible, a volume of hymns, and a 
 spelling-book, I said, I do not know any thing, nor 
 have I any means of knowing . except from the 
 Bible. And to this I betook myself with great 
 
BBV. AlFBED BENHETT. 61 
 
 ardor : I read much by night and by day, as I had 
 opportunity ; I would carry it about my person to 
 my labor ; while chopping down the forest I would 
 wort a while, then sit down upon a log and read 
 a while, and pray a while, and weep, a while ; then 
 to my labor again. I begged Grod to forgive me 
 if I had done wrong in refusing to consider the 
 subject ; and yet was wholly unwilling to entertain 
 the matter under my circumstances. 
 
 "Thus my mind was troubled for nearly two 
 years, supposing that my trials were wholly un- 
 known to others. At length, to my sorpriae, I 
 found many had the impression that I was exer- 
 cised respecting that duty ; and they took occasion 
 to suggest the matter to me, urging me to consider 
 it favorably. Also, as we had no pastor, oppor- 
 tunity offered to speak with a Httle latitude upon 
 the Scriptures, which would oecapionally afford 
 me great satisfaction in my feeHngs. At other 
 times, for fear it migh* be looking towards the 
 ministry, the very point I wished to discusB I 
 dared not touch ; and after speaking of every thing 
 else I could think of but that which really filled 
 my mind, I would sit down, full of confusion and 
 covered with mortification. Thus weighed down 
 with continual conflict, my flesh wasted and I 
 became almost a skeleton; and by degrees one 
 
62 MEMOIE OF 
 
 objection after another was providentially re- 
 moved. I knew I had the approbation of my 
 brethren ; they were more than willing I should 
 preach. 
 
 " In the spring of 1805, 1 became exceedingly 
 anxious to converse with my honored father, and 
 Kev. Mr. Palmer, my former pastor; for I felt 
 sure that Mr. Palmer was called of God to preach 
 the Gospel, and I had been told my father once 
 thought he ought to preach, but never did. There- 
 fore I thought, if I could only see them, between 
 them both, I am sure I could ascertain whether 
 my exercises are to be encouraged or not. But to 
 see them seemed impossible ; for they were living 
 some three hundred miles distant, and knew 
 nothing of my feelings, as I supposed ; I had not 
 the remotest thought that they would come to me ; 
 and I was wholly unable to make the jom-ney. 
 My location was in a small opening in the forests, 
 and it was necessaiy to labor constantly to obtain 
 sustenance for my femily. One day, while a1 
 work, looking up, I saw my father coming ; I wae 
 filled vrith joy at the sight of him ; but my emaci- 
 ated, haggard appearance so affected him that he 
 burst into tears and wept profusely. After inquiring 
 after my welfare and the causes of my wasted 
 appearance, to which I replied by saying that I wa£ 
 
EEv. Ai..raa;D bekhext. 63 
 
 not unhappily sitnated ; brushing away the tears, 
 he remarked, '"WeE,Iaingladif you^eenjoying 
 life; come, Mr. Palmer is down at the house.' 
 This filled me with astonishment ; it seemed to he 
 of God ; and I could not but regard it as a special 
 Providence mamfesting Eja condescension towards 
 me. It seemed their journey was suddenly planned 
 and prosecuted, and I could interpret it only as 
 showing the design of God to give me every evi- 
 dence I could ask. Before they left I was satisfied 
 respecting the real character of my exercises. The 
 last refuge imder which I had Md myself was now 
 taken away ; I stood out all exposed to guilt if I 
 did not discharge the duty which was now plainly 
 before me ; I therefore resolved to make one effort. 
 "I honestly supposed it would be needful to 
 make but one attempt, in preaching, to satisfy my 
 brethren and my own feelings forever, that it was 
 not my duty. I made engagement in my mind, 
 if life was continued to me till sach a Sabbath, 
 when the church would be together more generally, 
 that I would make the effort. Accordingly, I se- 
 lected a text, not suspecting that I should ever 
 need another one ; it was Eph. v. 8. For ye loere 
 soTiietmiee da/rkness, hut nmo a/re ye light m, the 
 Lord^ walk as children of the Ught. This, I 
 thought, ■would afford me opportunity to esereise 
 
Qi MEMOIE OF 
 
 my gift in the ministry, if any in the Bible could; 
 for it seemed to allude to our depraved condition 
 in nature by the ' darkness' spoken of ; and to the 
 blessed and hopeful condition of the Christian un- 
 der the figure of ' light in the Lord ;' of both ■which 
 I thought I had some knowledge in my own expe- 
 rience, and could therefore make out some interest- 
 ing discourse from them. If not, and my mind 
 was not fruitful, I could fall back upon the last 
 clause, 'Walk as children of the light,' which 
 would bring me upon ground with which I was 
 familiar, having long been permitted to exhort my 
 brethren. With this plan, I conned the subject, 
 and adjusted ray thoughts, and, at the time ap- 
 pointed, went to the meeting, confident that if it 
 was my duty to preach I should be sustained in 
 that service. The chapter having been read, at 
 the proper time I rose and remarked that, as the 
 brethren well knew, my mind had been much ex- 
 ercised in respect to the duty of preaching the 
 Gospel ; and I had, therefore, concluded to venture 
 forward, leaving it to God and my brethren, imtil 
 they bade me stop. Then, reading the text, I 
 commenced an exposition of it. But the pride of 
 my heart deceived me ; the fear of man brought a 
 snare. I lost my arrangement, became conftised 
 in my thoughts, and exceedingly mortified in the 
 
65 
 
 isaae of the effort. Dismissing the meeting for sm 
 hour, I went into the forest, threw myself down, 
 and wept bitterly. I prayed God to forgive me 
 for having had a thought that I could preach. 
 But at length the suggestion rose that the time for 
 meeting was come again. My first impression 
 was not to return : I thought I could not appear 
 in that congregation again. Then the thought 
 came that I was a professor of religion, and my 
 conduct, should I desert the meeting, might wound 
 the cause ; and this I could not hear. On rising 
 up to return, something said, ' Are you going to 
 preach again this afternoon?' Preach! Ko, in- 
 deed, I am not. I am ashamed of this morning's 
 work ; I shall not try that again. Then it came 
 to me that I had stated in the morning I would go 
 forward, leaving it to God and my brethren ; they 
 had not bid me stop, and I stood under public 
 engagement to continue preaching. I was sorry 
 I had said it, hut, being said, I felt under obligar 
 tion to make another effort. Then arose the ques- 
 tion of a subject. What shall be the text? Oh! 
 thought I, may Grod have mercy upon me ! I am 
 3, fool ! For, going by the way, my wisdom has 
 failed me, and my folly must he apparent to all 
 the people. Having enjoyed many sweet reflec- 
 tions upon different paBSagea of Scripture, during 
 6* 
 
tjg MEMOIK OJl' 
 
 the preceding two years, I thought I must select 
 some one of them' and do the best I could with it. 
 My mind went through the Scriptures with great 
 rapidity, but could light on no passage, nor catch 
 one ray of light from any part of the Bible, from 
 the beginning of Genesis to the end of Eevelation. 
 I became much excited, and trembling and groan- 
 ing in spirit, set out for the house, which was only 
 a few rods distant. Suddenly, these words fell 
 upon my mind with great power and sweetness : 
 My JcmgdoTTb is not of this world. I put them 
 from me, as not having been investigated. But 
 they rushed again upon my mind with force, and 
 upon the repetition of them the third time, just as 
 I reached the door, there seemed some light to 
 spring up in my mind. There was no alternative 
 but to read these words ; I had no other subject. 
 Accordingly, the meeting was opened, and I read 
 them as the foundation of discourse. I had not 
 proceeded far, when light broke in upon my mind, 
 astonishing my whole soul, as the sun would break 
 forth in its fall-orbed gloiy on the slumbering 
 darkness of midnight. That kingdom and its 
 King— ^its laws and order, its priaciples and its 
 precepts, its promises and pleasures, its power and 
 prospects, its subjects and objects, its life-giving 
 influence on the sinner in this dying world, and 
 
EET. ALFEED EENHEIT. 67 
 
 itB conBummation in glory — all turat upon my 
 mind with such intense interest and espaosiou of 
 thought, that I eadd to myself, I shall never need' 
 another, text. If I am permitted to live till threq 
 score years and ten, this contains all the matter I 
 need to preach abont ; it can never be exhausted. 
 My heart was in sweet composure, overflowing 
 with joy. I preached and wept ; the people wept 
 and listened. I only wondered we had never seen 
 such beauty before in the Saviour and in the Gos- 
 pel, and before I closed, I thought, if my brethren 
 would let me, I would preach as long as I lived. 
 And this I may honestly now say, being seventy 
 years old, by the mercy of God being kept, I have 
 been permitted to have a place in the ministry, 
 and that text I have found containing more than I 
 have been able to preach, occupying my whole 
 attention up to this time. StiU there are heights 
 in it which have not been scaled, and depths which 
 have not been fathomed, and extents and measure- 
 ments whidi have never been compassed. 
 
 " This experience was a lesson of rich instmc- 
 tion, leading me to distinguish between exercises 
 merely intellectual in the ministry of the Gospel, 
 and those which are truly Bpiritaal ; and however 
 important the former are — and a man must study 
 to show himself approved — still from the latter he 
 
68 MEMOIE OF 
 
 derives his sweetest personal enjoyments and only 
 effective power in the work." 
 
 Having thus been introduced to the work of the 
 • ministry, he continued to preach with increased 
 acceptance to the little church gathered in Homer. 
 In ^November of 1805, he was unanimously licensed 
 to preach the Gospel anywhere within the bounds 
 of the church ; and in April of the following year, 
 this license was made imlimited, and he was au- 
 thorized to proclaim the tidings of life in Christ 
 Jesus "wherever God in His providence should 
 open the door." In Febraary, 1807, the church, 
 by solemn resolution, called him to ordination, 
 which took place publicly, June 18, in the same 
 year. The services of the occasion were conducted 
 in a large barn, then new, on the premises of Hon. 
 John Keep, now connected with the County Poor 
 House. Eev. Ashbel Hosmer, pastor of the Eap 
 tist church, Hamilton, preached the sermon, from 
 Gal. i. 10-12. Delegates were present from the 
 following • churches : First Church, Milton (now 
 Genoa), Lisle, Dryden, Locke, Cazenovia, and Fa- 
 bins. Thus, with trembling hope, he was solemnly 
 consecrated to the pastor's work, and put in charge 
 with the feeble chui-ch in Homei-, which, under 
 his pastorship, was yet destined to rise a monu- 
 ment of his faithfulness and the rich grace of God. 
 
EEV. ALFRED BENMETT. 
 
 CHAPTEE ¥. 
 
 PASTOitAL IxABOEB. 
 
 Masy embarrassments attended hie earliei- labors 
 as a pastor. Without the advantages of education, 
 ■without access to an extensive library, bis dis- 
 courses must necessarily be devoid of any of the 
 attractions of learning or the graces of rhetoric; 
 though the natural vigor of his mind gave to them 
 great power, and studied, as they often were, upon 
 his knees with the Bible before him, they were 
 usually rich in biblical expression and illusti'ation, 
 and attended with an miction imparted only by 
 the Holy Ghost. The church bad no house of 
 worship, and were accustomed to assemble on the 
 Sabbath at different places in the town, which 
 much affected the permanency of the congregar 
 tion. "Widely scattered over a region twenty miles 
 in extent, it was not easy to gather the flock into 
 one assembly, or discharge faithfully to them, in 
 counsel and 'visitation, the duties of a pastor. 
 Valuable additions had, indeed, been made to 
 their number, of some who in after life stood as 
 distinguished pillars in the church, but there were 
 otbei-8 also who occasioned the watchful servant of 
 
70 MEMOIE OP 
 
 God much anxiety. Added to these, was the 
 limited amount of his salary, which compelled him 
 to labor much with his hands for temporal sup- 
 port. The extract which follows, from a letter 
 addressed to his brother Alvin, August 18, 1809, 
 furnishes an interesting view of his trials and 
 character at this period : 
 
 " As to the situation of my mind in the things 
 of religion — sometimes the clusters from Eschol's 
 brook cheer my fainting soul. The same truth I 
 try to preach to others is the only support of my 
 soul ; for all my dependence is on sovereign grace. 
 However, much of my time is spent in trials. I 
 have trials about my adoption, trials about preach- 
 ing, trials about my worldly concerns, trials about 
 my stupid manner of li^^ng, trials about the dis- 
 orderly walk of some membera in the church, and 
 trials arising from temptations numberless as the 
 sands. I hope you have fewer discouragements 
 to encounter. Pray, be encom-aged, my brother, 
 
 " For the weakest, Jesus shall -mn the day, 
 Though death and hell obstruct the 'way." 
 
 Let us not seek to please men ; for such are not 
 the servants of Christ. Seek not the favor of par- 
 ties, but of Christians. Do tJie work of an evan- 
 gelist; Ttmhe full proof of thy ministry P 
 
KEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 71 
 
 At this early period, some of the pastors trere 
 wont to devote a part of almost every year to mis- 
 eionary effort, itinerating in the new settlements 
 forming west of them. By this means the scat- 
 tered members of the fold of Chi-ist were collected, 
 and churches organized; while the Grospel was 
 published to many who would -otherwise have 
 been left uuinstructed. Meetings for prayer were 
 set up and encouraged, and the influences of reli- 
 gion spread where they were before unfelt. The 
 ardent missionary zeal of many of the fathers in 
 the miniBtry, some of whom have already entered 
 their rest and others are now waiting the Master's 
 cali, is still fresh in the memory of the elder mem- 
 bers of the churches, among whom not a few lis- 
 tened to 'the Word of Life they ministered, and 
 then first felt its saving power. Allusion is made 
 to a tour of this chai-acter in a letter written Sep- 
 tember 18, 1810, It contains the following re- 
 mai-ts: "The things of religion are not so much 
 engaging my mind as they ought, I have to 
 write bitter things against myself; yet by the 
 grace of God I am what I am. I expect, the Lord 
 willing, to leave my family nest Monday- on a 
 journey of seven or eight weeks to the westward, 
 the most of it to be spent in missionary labors by 
 appointment from the Hamilton Baptist Mission- 
 
T2 MEMOIE 05 
 
 ary Society. Our cliiircli enj oys comfortable union : 
 I think there are some prospects of a reformation. 
 The Lord grant I may not be deceived. Last 
 Lord's day I baptized one ; onr present number is 
 seventy-eight. The Lord add more by His grace." 
 
 Another tour of similar character was uuder- 
 taken to HoUand Purchase, in 1811, during which, 
 in an absence of a little more than seven weeks, it 
 is recorded, he rode five hundred miles, and 
 preached fifty-seven sermons. 
 
 Religious discussions at this period turned 
 mainly upon the points at issue between the Cal- 
 vinistic and Arminian theology. Many good men 
 even took extreme views. Some denied the sove- 
 reignty of Divine grace in conversion, and made 
 salvation wholly the result of the sioner's strivings. 
 On the other hand, there were not a few who, for- 
 getting that the Most High, in working all things 
 according to the counsels of His own will, effects 
 His gracious purposes by appointed means, refused 
 to exhort men to repent and believe, on the ground 
 of man's natural incapacity, and boldly taught 
 that men were under no moral obligation respect- 
 ing sjich spiritual exercises except they received 
 special grace from God, in which case they would 
 become Christians, whether exhorted or not. Li 
 such a ministiy, the more mysterious and awful 
 
KET. AT:FRED BENHBTT. 73 
 
 truths of God's "Word would sometiiiies be Bet 
 forth witli extraordinaiy power, and the Saints 
 filled mth adoring wonder in view of the riches 
 of grace abounding in distingiuBhing, eternal love ; 
 but upon the ear of the sinner no words of expos- 
 tulation and entreaty fell, and no heavenly xayitar 
 tions called him from the paths of gin and danger 
 to the refuge in Jesus Chj-ist, Of these opposing 
 parties, the former, fi-om the acknowledged fact of 
 our moral agency, inferred the necessary existence 
 in the sinner of moral ability to perform the spir- 
 itual acts required in the Gospel, thus overlopMog 
 the blinding and depraving effect of sin: the 
 latter, from the equally well established fact of the 
 sovereignty of God, deduced the consequence, that 
 the soul is passive in convei-sion and the sinner 
 under no obligation to malie effort for salvatiop, 
 except an intimation of the Divine intention to 
 save was fii-st given by special influences of the 
 •Holy Sphit. The controversy upon this subject 
 was rife, both in this country and^in I^gland, 
 eliciting warm and often angry disputation; and 
 while Andrew Fuller, la Europe, was dealing 
 sturdy blows on either side against these extreme 
 opinions, and mai-king out that middle ground in 
 theology which receives both the facts, but rejects ^ 
 both Ihe inferences, the moat godly and influential 
 
14: MEMOIK OF 
 
 in the ministry on this side the Atlantic, thongl 
 with much contention, occupied the same position 
 The following extract from a letter of Mr. Bennett 
 directed to his brother, August 18, 1811, will b( 
 read with interest, as indicating his doctrinal ten 
 dencies at this period. It was in answer to ont 
 requesting his opinion as to the proper position t( 
 be taken between the Antinomian and Anniniai 
 doctrines. 
 
 " Dear Brother : Christ and TTia apostles preach 
 ed a doctrine between them. Search the Scrip 
 tures. We find there the Divine sovereignty 
 particular and eternal election, justification bj 
 grace, the perseverance of saints, man's mora 
 agency and accountability, and the eternal pun 
 ishment of the wicked, all clearly supported bj 
 Divine truth ; and though it may be impossible 
 for us to reconcile these together, we may yet tel 
 the world of them. We may.; declare that God if 
 sufficient to defend the truth,' and %rill at the las' 
 make it plain. We ought to-be willing to become 
 fools for Christ's sake. It is =beyond our reach t( 
 make the natural man understanii the things of th( 
 Spirit of God; for they are 'foolishness unto him.' 
 
 With such views the ministiy of Mr. Bennet 
 was one of untiring activity. Depending only oi 
 the grace of God, he wrought with a holy energy 
 
EEV. ALFRED BENIiBTT. 73 
 
 ■which was inspired by love to Christ ai\d love to 
 Bonis, and a just sense of the freeness and richness 
 of the Gospel. In the log houses of Ms people Mb 
 friendly counsel and ardent ' prayers were fre- 
 quently enjoyed. . In the conduct of meetings for 
 prayer and conference he waa especially gifted; 
 and in the familiar neighborhood gatherings, ■wMch 
 wei'c then so common, his presence always seemed 
 to increase the freedom felt in experimental re- 
 ligious conversation. And from the pulpit he set 
 forth, with godly feiTor, the lost condition of the 
 sinner, the obligation of immediate repentance 
 and faith, and the necessity of holy hving ; not, 
 indeed, as the ground of justification before God, 
 but as the legitimate result and essential evidence 
 of it. The church, gradually augmented in num- 
 ber and strengthened by a stated ministry, at 
 length reared a house of worship, located about a 
 mile and a half south of the village of Homer, 
 which was dedicated to the sei-vice of God in June 
 1812. The text from -which the pastor preached 
 on tMs occasion was from Zeph. iii, 12 : I will 
 ^dlso leave in fite midst qf iliee an affected (md 
 fom- people, <md Hhey shaU trust in the name of 
 the Lord y and though it was a day of much glad- 
 ness to him, the subject well illustrates the outward 
 cu-cumstances of the people. 
 
76 MEMOtE OB 
 
 Eut God was about to manifest His grace in 
 the work of conversion. An increased fervency 
 of spirit appeared in the church, and meetings for 
 religious conversation were much multiplied. 
 Brief notes in a diary he kept during this period 
 give indications that his own soul also wks more 
 than ordinarily awakened to the condition of the 
 lost around him. In an historical discourse 
 preached in 18M, he thus aUudes to the revival 
 which followed : 
 
 "The commencement of this period found the 
 church worshipping in the new meeting-house, 
 which had brought them into debt about one 
 thousand dollars, or nearly half the value of the 
 house, without any means of payment. However, 
 such was the abundant grace bestowed, that 
 before the year closed the church had more than 
 doubled her numbers, the debt was paid off, and 
 the congregation large and respectable. In this 
 revival there were eighteen husbands, with their 
 wives, and thii-teen whose companions were mem- 
 bers before, making forty-nine heads of families, 
 who were permanently settled in town, and re- 
 spectable in society, converted to God and brought 
 into the church, many of whom remain at this 
 present time as pillars in the house of God, but 
 some have fallen asleep. Such was the feeling 
 
EEV, ALFRED EEarNETT. 77 
 
 cultivated, the amount of intelligence posseBBed, 
 the deliberation, integrity, and decision with which 
 they eaine forward and connected with the chnrch, 
 that thei'e seemed no occasion for change, or even 
 a desire to turn back again to the world. It is 
 believed that for one or two years after the close 
 of the revival there was not an instance of de- 
 fection in any member sufficient to call for even a 
 reproof from the church. 
 
 "In those days the Scripture was fulfilled in 
 them 1 'Then they that feared the Lord spate often 
 one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard, 
 and a hook of remembrance was written befors 
 Him, for them that feared the Lord and thought 
 upon His name.' God did remember them, and 
 blessed theii' souls and prospered the work of their 
 hands. The opportunities, time afforded before or 
 between hoars of divine worship on the Sabbath, 
 were profitably spent by an interchange of ■Christian 
 feeling, and a kind inquiry after the state of aonl 
 of the individual, or of the progi-ess of the cause in. 
 their immediate neighborhood : thus in some 
 measure making each member responsible for the 
 state of religions feeling among their neighbor's. 
 But this was not enongh ; the church as a body 
 agreed to assemble at the meeting-house (when, at 
 the time of which we are now speaking, there were 
 
78 MEMOIE OF 
 
 not probably five members within one mile of it 
 once in two weeks, and spend half a day in prayei 
 and social Christian conversation together as mem 
 bers of the same body and partakers of the sam( 
 rich grace. These social conference meetings gav( 
 opportunity for the exercise of the various gifts ii 
 the church, which God has given that all may b( 
 edified and comforted. They served to bring ou 
 occasionally those pious and sage remai'ks whicl 
 are lilce apples of gold inpictwres of sH/uer. 
 
 " "We give a few specimens. On one occasioi 
 the conversation turned on the meaning and im 
 portance of oui* Lord's words : ' Inasmuch as y« 
 have done it unto one of the least of these m] 
 brethren, ye have done it unto me.' A membei 
 said, How shall we understand when an act comei 
 within the range of His approbation ? how shall w< 
 know when we do a good work ? A sister replied 
 I do not know, unless we can do the work anc 
 forget it. The righteous had done all their gooc 
 works^and forgot them, for they had done them oui 
 of love to Christ ; but the wicked had done thein 
 and remembered them, for they expected pay foi 
 them. On one of those conference days, anothei 
 sister addressed those present in the foUowins 
 strain : Brethren and sisters, let us trust Ood. 1\ 
 is not so easy to trust the bare word of God, but ii 
 
REV. ALFRED BESNETT. 79 
 
 is om" duty. He eayB, I will never leave t7iee nor 
 yorsaJes thee, and it ought to satisfy iis. Now, she 
 coatinued, we can trust God with our bams fuU, 
 cellars fall, aad hands iull ; but to trust Him when 
 destitute, when waivt presses, when no prospect of 
 relief appears, — to trust Him ' although the fig-tree 
 shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be on the 
 vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, and the 
 fields shall yield -no meat, and the fiocba shall be 
 cut off from the folds, and there shall be no herd 
 in the stalls' — to trust Him thus, is religion; this 
 is what God rec[uires -of His children. And when 
 Christ is enjoyed alone and baa no rival in our 
 heart, and we live on Him \sytfaith, and eat His 
 flesh and drink His blood, 'tis then we enjoy 
 peace; this is health to the soul, thds is sweet 
 li/omg. 
 
 "A brother who was a large farmei-, and yet was 
 seldom absent from any week-day meeting ap- 
 pointed by the church, being asked how he could 
 be BO constant at meetings, replied. These meetings 
 are appointed by the church, and it is my duty to 
 be here ; I am bound to respect the claims of the 
 church. It is presumed, said he, the church would 
 not make an appointment unless it were important, ■ 
 xaA if it ia important for the church to meet, it is 
 neceseaiy for me to be there, as I am one of the 
 
80 MEMOIE OF 
 
 charch. May the Spirit of the living God im- 
 press this truth, this important, this immensely 
 important practical truth upon every church mem- 
 ber's heart, that it may enlighten the conscience 
 aiid result in a punctual attendance on the ap- 
 pointments of the church." 
 
 Of those who professed godliness during this 
 I'evival, ninety-two were added to the church, and 
 among them the middle-aged were the most 
 numerous. The steadfastness of the converts and 
 the increased union and heavenly-mindedness 
 among the saints, continuing in their midst a 
 sw'eet and holy influence for several years, are 
 facts worthy of sp^ial remark. They attest the 
 excellence of the measures then employed in the 
 work of God. The truths preached were the sim- 
 ple doctrines of the cross. " The holiness of Jeho- 
 vah's character," he says, "the depravity of 
 huinkn nature, the eternal love of God, the benevo- 
 lence of the Saviour, the fulness of the atonement, 
 salvation by grace, the subject of death, the judg- 
 ment to come, and the eternity of future rewards 
 and punishments, were the common topics in con- 
 vei^ation and exhortation among the people." No 
 hasty zeal seems to have sought increase of num- 
 bers by lowering the standard of godliness ; on the 
 contra,ry, when persons were about to relate their 
 
81 
 
 eKercises with reference to baptism, it was ctis- 
 tomary for the^pastor or some of the elder brethren 
 to remind the church of the Bolenm responsibility 
 they inouri'ed in encouraging the hopes of a can- 
 didate respecting acceptance with God, and set 
 before them the fearful conBec[Tiences to the indi' 
 vidual and the church, should there be mistake 
 upon this vital point. iNearly two years after this 
 revival, he wrote to a fiiend : "Ton are not unac- 
 quainted with the work of grace among ns in 
 years past. The fruit of it is still manifest. There 
 ifi a remarkable establishment of mind in the eon- 
 verts ; but one has been laid under admonitiou as 
 yet, and the whole church ■ appears in lovely 
 union. 
 
 While attending an ecclesiastical council in 
 Pharsalia, it pleased the Lord to visit hiin with 
 severe iUness. He was seized with a fever- then 
 prevalent, which after his return home serjonsly 
 threatened his life. In reference to this he thus 
 wrote in his journal: 
 
 " J/ay 25. — It is fifteen years this day, since, I 
 trust, Jesus deli veredmysoul. I thought itwould be 
 my dying day, but GJod preserved my life, Qianks 
 be to His holy name ! my mind has-enjoyed some 
 peace." 
 
 In a few weeks he was a^iain eneafied in his 
 
82 MBMOIE OT" 
 
 work with wonted vigor and success. This year 
 he closed with the following minute in his 
 journal : 
 
 "Thus ends the year 1813 — a period marked 
 with great love from God to Zion, in the numerous 
 revivals which have occurred and the great peace 
 of the churches ; and with wrath towards his ene- 
 mies, in the wars and pestilences which have 
 visited the nations. My -soul, let thanksgivings 
 abound to God for His goodness in continuing my 
 life and family, and above aU in prospering the 
 dear people with whom I labor, by preserving the 
 peace and fellowship of the church, and disposing 
 the congregation to continue their attention in the 
 house of God : so let it be. .Amen." 
 
 During the summer of 1814, under direction of 
 the Hamilton Baptist Missionaiy Society, he per- 
 formed a tour of six weeks among the destitute in 
 the counties of Tioga, Steuben, and Alleghany, in 
 reference to which he remarks : 
 
 "I passed through a very needy part of the 
 land. Little do those who always enjoy preaching, 
 appreciate their own good situation, or the mis'* 
 erable condition of others dep»ived of such a bless- 
 ing. My mind was employed very agreeably for 
 the most part, enjoying some degree of freedom in 
 meditation and communication. I felt something 
 
ItEV. AI.FBED SESSETT. 83 
 
 of the Spirit of the work, through the blessing of 
 Grod. I made use of a new subject every time, 
 which kept my thoughts occupied iu chase after 
 heavenly iDstruction that might feed the hungry 
 saint and awaken the poor sinner to see himself 
 lost and Jesus lovely. It was to me a moat inter- 
 esting season, and I trust, also, to many of God's 
 dear children," In this excursion he preached 
 forty-one sermons, and rode about 500 miles. 
 
 A letter addressed to Ms brother, Rev. Alvin 
 Bennett, February, 1815, exhibits the tenderness 
 of his fcatemal affection, as well as the religious 
 exercises of this period : 
 
 , "Far distant as I am from you in body, I still 
 feel the drawing of those ties -which, beginning in 
 natm-e, have gi-own in strength by fellowship in 
 the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I often 
 recall in memory those pleasurable days we once 
 enjoyed in each other's society, and ask myself, 
 Are they nevei- to return again ? God, the adora- 
 ble friend of sinful roan, hath disposed of us as He 
 saw fit ; and we ought to feel' submission. But 
 my unruly heart often beti-ajs me into the enemy's 
 hand, and there how am I handled! Surely, 
 
 ' Sia'a promised joys nre turned to paia. 
 
 And I am drowned with grief 
 Till mj dear Lord return again.' 
 
84 MEMOIE OF 
 
 WHat infinite mercy is it to poor sinners that we 
 have sncli a Saviour, who saves the worst, cleanses 
 the foulest, and does it all freely, without merit in 
 us or reward yro/re us ! Here is all my hope." 
 
 A portion of another to the same in a season of 
 affliction, August, 1815, will further illustrate his 
 character at this period : 
 
 " ' Through tribulation deep 
 The way to glory lies' — 
 
 and is not rest sweet to the laboring man? "What 
 then will Heaven be to the saints after this dreary 
 life is over ? I long to see you, my brother, and 
 your dear -wife, but God knows what is best. You 
 are not forgotten ia our prayers, and I hope you 
 share largely in the Divine blessing upoii the soul, 
 by which you can say that the pleasiire overcomes 
 the pain. I am glad to hear that you have em- 
 ployment in the Lord's vineyard ; for I have no 
 good opinion of indolent servants. Oh, for grace 
 to be humble and faithful, till death draws nigh 
 to discharge us from all om- toil, and that sin 
 which' so disturbs otu" peace in this world ! Our 
 church are in good hai-mony and fellowship at 
 present. There are some additions ; but we need 
 another reformation among us to make ' the spices 
 flow out.' " 
 
EET. AI^EBEt) ■BENUETT. 85 
 
 This year terminates "with the follo'wing brief 
 record in his diary : 
 
 "December 31. — Thus cltiaeB the year 1815. 
 And -why is my life spared ? For what dOra Gtod 
 contimie me, but to witness His goodness and be 
 Tiaefid in His cause? Thaaka be to His holy 
 name! I am partaker of His love in my sou], 
 and experience His favor in my fiunily -, but, above 
 ■ all, I'would praise Him for the salvation of sinners 
 aromid me, and the prospoity of the church of 
 ■which He has given me the oversight." 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 EEVIVALB. 
 
 " Oh, that this year may be peculiar for the 
 enlargement of Son, both in the increase of con- 
 verts and- the spread of Gospel principles !" was 
 the fervent prayer with which he begun the year 
 1816. Nor was his petition unanswered. A rich 
 outpouring of the Holy Spirit was again experi- 
 enced, cheering 'the pastor's heart and much en- 
 larging and strengthening the church. A few no- 
 tices of this will here be inserted from his journal : 
 
86 MEMOIE OF 
 
 '■'■ Februa/ry 12, 13. — 1 spent these days witli 
 great pleasure in the east part of the town, preach- 
 ing and visiting. The Lord is there, of a truth. 
 Oh, that many may be converted ! 
 
 " 14. — A good day in conference at the meeting- 
 house. 
 
 "18. — Lord's day. Preached, A. M., from Isa. 
 xii. 1 : P. M., a funeral sermon frotn Mark iv. 29. 
 In the evening, attended a good conference meet- 
 ing. The Lord, in His good pleasure, having seen 
 fit to bless His people in this place again by the 
 outpouring of His spirit, my heart has been so 
 drawn to Him and His people, and my time so 
 taken up from home, preaching and visiting, that 
 I have neglected to continue my journal as 
 usual. 
 
 '■'■Ma/rch 15. — ^Preached at Bro. Keep's, upon 
 the importance of entering in ' at the strait gate,' 
 and then baptized six. This day thought I felt 
 something of the value of souls and the necessity 
 of regeneration. Yet, oh my soul ! what if thou 
 at last art foimd without, among the ' many' that 
 shall not ' be able to enter !' My God, pity my 
 Boul ; forgive my sin. Make me holy, then shall 
 I be hurrMe, then shall I be ha^apy. 
 
 '•'•Mwrch 17.— Enjoyed a good season at the 
 water and at the table of our Lord. 
 
EEV. AT.gB.Tm BENNEnT, 87 
 
 How condeEceadiug and hovr Mad 
 Was Ood's eternal Sod.' 
 
 It was ^ii>/ broMglit Him down, and when here, 
 what examples did He set ! The institutions of 
 the Gospel, how wisely adapted for the refresh- 
 ment of the saints 1 Never can Jesns he praised 
 enough for His unspeakable merey. 
 
 "April 14. — ^I preached and administered the 
 ordinances of God's house in the church of Christ 
 at Dryden, It was a good day to many. J^ue 
 unveiled His lovely face and gave His saints de- 
 light. The church there is sturounded with many 
 enemies, and I found some freedom in preaching 
 to them from this text : These are they that hme 
 come itp out of great iribulation." 
 
 A brief accoimt of this revival is also given in 
 the historical discourse before alluded to : it is as 
 ' follows : 
 , " In Novembei', 1816, the truth ministered by 
 the pastor, from Prov. xx. 4, The sluggard wilZ 
 
 ■ not plow, hy reason of the cold, therefore shaU lie 
 . leg -m harvest cmd have nothing, though sown in 
 
 weakness, was so blessed of God as to be the com- 
 mencement of another season of.refreshing, wMch 
 continued with undiminished and deHghtful inter- 
 
 ■ est mope than a year'in the church and eongregar 
 tion, bringing many excellent and efficient mem- 
 
88 MEMOIR OF 
 
 bers into the churcli, whose prayers and piety are 
 still useful to the world. There were very few 
 days, for more than twelve months, in which a 
 meeting was not holden somewhere in the town 
 for religious worship. And during the whole 
 summer, when meetings were held in the after- 
 noon, so common was it for members of the church 
 to attend, and even go miles to attend, that it be- 
 came a common saying among the wicked, that 
 there would be scarcity of provisions that year, 
 for Christians did not work half their time. After- 
 wards it was as proverbial with the brethren, that 
 they had seldom if ever had better crops, or had 
 them gathered in better season, or in better state, 
 than they were that year ; showing most clearly 
 that those who trust in God and do good, dwell in 
 the land and a/refedP 
 
 It appears that more than a hundred were added 
 to the church during the progress of this work of 
 grace, of whose steadfastness in the Gospel, under 
 the faithful watch-care of their pastor, the same 
 cheering account is given as of those in the previ- 
 ous awakening. A letter to his brother Alvin, 
 dated November 18, 1817, contains a view of his 
 religious exercises at that period : 
 
 "Bro, Asa arrived at home the Saturday after 
 he left your house, in good spirits and satisfied 
 
KET, ALKEED BENNETT. 89 
 
 with his journey and vieit. He thinks it may be 
 
 the last he shall ever make. Indeed, how im- 
 portant to act ever as if it was the last act; the 
 last visit we shall ever make, when we call on 
 friends ; the lasi prayer we shall ever offer, when 
 in the closet we reflect upon our own and others' 
 wants, and supplicate God for help. Oh, that the 
 la^ of time and the Ungtk of eternity lay with 
 more sensible weight upon my spirits ! Methinks 
 it would greatly help me to seelc the glory of God 
 in all I do. I rejoice, lay brother, that God has 
 given you a privileged place in Zion, compared 
 with many of our dear brethren in the miuLstiy, 
 but fiir more do I rejoice to learn of yonr firmness 
 in the faith and usefulness in your lot. God 
 grant you many souls as the fruit of your labor, 
 and make you abundantly instrumental in fmi:her- 
 ing the 'work of righteousness and lioliness among 
 the dear people of your care, while you raidure 
 with much long-suffering the opposition of the 
 ■wicked, in meekness instructing those that oppose 
 tBemselves to the truth, that G^Dd may give them 
 repentance to the acknowledgment of the salvar- 
 tion which is by grace, through JeeuB Christ, to 
 the praise and glory of Gild." 
 
 Few experimental Christians are always on the 
 mount of vision. The hill of Difficulty, the valley 
 8* 
 
90 MBMOIE Off 
 
 of tte Shadow of Death, and the Enchanted 
 Ground, lie in the Christian's pUgrimage to the 
 Celestial City. Bitter draughts must often be ad- 
 ministered by the Great Physician in healing the 
 soul's maladies and maMng us " meet to be par- 
 takers of the inheritance of the saiats in light :" 
 nor is it unfrequent that remaining depravity is 
 permitted to remind the Christian of his inherent 
 weakness, and thus lead him to the Eock of refuge. 
 And if we look upward to the throng now rejoicing 
 in perfected love before the Throne, of them also 
 is it true : 
 
 " Once they were mourning here belowi 
 And. bathed their couch with tears ; 
 They struggled hard as we do now 
 With sins, and doubts, and fears." 
 
 A letter of May 13, 1818, contains the passage 
 which is here inserted, giving an interesting view 
 of his inward experience : 
 
 ' ' God was manifest in the flesh. What a wonder 
 is here! Angels see Him united to a race of 
 beings below them, and that, too, a race of sinnefe. 
 They desire , to look into this mystery. God was 
 manifest in the flesh ; yea, more. He was made 
 flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His 
 glory. When I consider the stupendous grace of 
 God to men, I am so lost in the amazing deep that 
 
EEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 91 
 
 I can only exclaim, It passeth hnowledge! Do 
 you, mj brother, ever find your thoughts so drawn 
 out upon this subject as to be unable to express 
 the views before you, there being a want; ia words 
 to convey the feelings of the soul ? It is pleasant 
 dwelling on the mount where, with Moses, we 
 may look eastward and westward, northward and 
 southwai'd, and still be in the boundless prospect 
 lost. But I often meet much barm in getting 
 down the bill, from unbelief on the one hand, and 
 pride on the other. Those falls ! they almost take 
 my life. And then, also, I am sure to meet Apol- 
 lyon. Many a time has he seemed to think him- 
 self sure of me. 'Tis grace that keeps my soul 
 fixjm first to last. Again, do you ever find your- 
 self so stupid and dark ae to see nothing in the 
 glorious mystery of godliness, no beauty in Jesus 
 Christ, no light in the Bible, no importance in 
 truth, no delight in the saints, no value in bouIb, no 
 difference in men, ne virtiR in yourself, no barm 
 in sin? Peelings resembling these are to be 
 dreaded more than, the judgments of Grod. 
 
 " Far more the treacbcrDus calm T dread. 
 Than tempests burstiog o'er mj head.' 
 
 I would hope that you are not compelled to groan, 
 ■ being burdened with Bach sinful propensities. I 
 
92 MEMom 01" 
 
 think, however, of late I have felt more the weight 
 of truth, and realized more fully the importance of 
 walking with God. At some seasons, I have 
 found enlargement of mind in prayer and in 
 preaching the Word. Some have of late been 
 called to hope in the mercy of God, but the revival 
 is not yet extensive. There is a pleasing prospect 
 of its increase, but the residue of the spirit is with 
 the Lord. Oh pray for us, that saints may live to 
 Christ, and sinners bow before Him." 
 
 The most powerful of the revivals which distin- 
 guished the ministry of Mr. Bennett, occurred in 
 1820. It seems to have been attended with re- 
 markable manifestations of Divine power, affect- 
 ing in a peculiar manner the whole town. Many 
 who then first experienced hope in Ghi-ist are now 
 pillars in the Church of God, and live to attest the 
 -pure and permanent character of this work of 
 grace. Its general features cannot be described 
 better than in the language of an article from Mr. 
 Bennett's pen, published in the "Western New 
 York Baptist Magazine," of 1821, and addressed 
 to the editors, from which we make the following 
 extract : 
 
 " In December, 1819, there were some symp- 
 toms of another gracious revival ; th« saints seemed 
 more fervent in prayer, and there was a greater 
 
. ALFRED BENNETT. 
 
 fiolemnity visible in assembJies convened for pub- 
 lic worahip. There was also one instance of hope- 
 ful conversion, with one or two signal instances of 
 reformation in backsliders. About the first of 
 January, at a meeting of an ecdesiaatical council 
 in the Presbyteriaa church, the work broke forth 
 in a more visible manner, with great power, ex- 
 tending into diffei-ent parts of tie town, engaging 
 the attention of all classes in society. Many of 
 the saints experienced great enlargement of mind, 
 and entered into the work with all their souls. 
 Some who had made a profession of religion for 
 many years, under seiious apprehension that they 
 had built upon the sand, were brought to great 
 aearchings of heart, and at length gave account of 
 their views of the Saviour with such tran8por.te of 
 joy, as resembled the day of their espousals. It 
 was hardly possible to find a person in the plac* 
 unaffected ; all seemed to be moved. 
 
 " Meetings became unusually ci-owded, even iu 
 the lai-gest places devoted to conferences ; and the 
 houses of God upon the Sabbath were filled with 
 numbers assembled to hear the Gospel of Christ, 
 and, an indescribable solemnity was visible among 
 the people. The language of the oldest persons 
 and most experienced saints among us was, We 
 nevei' saw it on this wise before. For two or three 
 
94 MEMOm OF 
 
 weeks the cloud seemed to hang over vs -without 
 distilling its contents. This was a time when 
 much feeling, and, I trust, much faith was exer- 
 cised in prayer. At length the cloud seemed to 
 burst, diffusing blessings all around; the saints 
 could now say, the joy of the Lord is ov/r 8t/ren<fth, 
 while converts daily appeared in the assemblies 
 of the saints compassing God's altar with songs of 
 deliverance. In one neighborhood on East River, 
 sixteen souls hopefully experienced the forgiveness 
 of sins in one week, within the compass of a mile ; 
 and 'young men and maidens, old men, and chil- 
 dren,' united in praising the Lord. There was 
 very little secular labor performed for two or three 
 months, and many devoted the whole of their 
 time to meetings and visiting from house to house. 
 Some went two and two (as our Lord sent forth 
 His disciples), through different parts of the town, 
 calling upon every family on their way, endeavor- 
 ing to do them good in then- conversation and 
 prayers with them. And, no doubt, this was one 
 great means in the hand of God, in extending the 
 work. 
 
 "The first that united with the church were 
 baptized the third Sabbath in February. On that 
 day, there were thirteen baptized, ten of whom 
 were young men in single life, who followed each 
 
EEV. ALIUED BENHETT. 95 
 
 other in succession in the ordinance, in the pres- 
 ence of 3, large and deeply affected assembly. 
 I"roni that time, during the spring and siunmer, 
 scarcely a Sabbath passed mthout waiting upon 
 some in this institution of God. The -whole num- 
 ber added to the church by baptism, since the 
 "work began, is 07ie Ivmxdred <md twenty-six, and 
 fifteen by lettei-. We still enjoy good seasons 
 among ourselves, and hope that God will always 
 enable ua to walk in love, but the Spirit seems 
 now in a measure to be withdrawn from among 
 the people." 
 
 This extensive ingathering of souls, so far from 
 lifting up the pastor's heart with pride, seems to 
 have led him to increased self-abasement and 
 watchfulness. " Severe conflicts," indeed, he men- 
 tions, " arising irom pride and unbelief," but the 
 grace of God made him a victor over all. 
 
 In these revivals, as well as in ordinaiy seasons, 
 he was i-emarkably aided by the co-operation of 
 the church. There were active Christians around 
 him, whose views of the responsibility of the Chris- 
 tian profession were not satisfied with a mere at- 
 tendance upon the worship of the Sabbath and a 
 pecuniary contribution for its support; but they 
 established and conducted meetings for prayer, 
 ■ and went from house to house throughout the 
 
96 MEMOIE OF 
 
 town, often thus spending days and even weeks 
 for the promotion of religion. The machinery of 
 modem revivals was then unknown, and the mul- 
 titudes thronged the sanctuary, not drawn by the 
 eccentricities of the preacher, but by solemn influ- 
 ences from on high, accompanying the earnest 
 exertions of many devoted children of God. The 
 church, not the preacher only, were the chief hu- 
 man agency connected with these manifestations 
 of heavenly grace ; and that, not merely in reli- 
 gious meetings, but in direct, personal exertions in 
 the community. 
 
 Another distinguishing feature in these revivals 
 was the union of spirit among Christians of differ- 
 ent denominations. Mr. Bennett, in his descrip- 
 tion of these seasons, thus speaks : 
 
 " By union of Christian effort, we do not mean 
 any combination of influence by agreement, either 
 among members of the same church or of different 
 churches, but a most hearty co-operation among 
 the people of God in the work, a.s the work of God, 
 or because it was the work of God. In none of 
 these revivals, is it believed, the spirit or feeling 
 prevailed to any great extent, that it was a Bap- 
 tist, or Presbyterian revival, or that the revival 
 was among any denomination as such, but among 
 the citizens of Homer, as sinn^ers against God. 
 
EEV. AIJKED BENNETT. 97 
 
 As a consequence, the weekly meetiags for confer- 
 ence and prayer were by mutnal consent set up in 
 Bcbool-houaes in different districts in town, and 
 attended in common by iJl the neighbors, aiad by 
 the pastors and leading brethren in both the Bap- 
 tist and Presbyterian chnreheB, nearly every night 
 for months together, in sach harmony, that a 
 sti'anger might not have suspected they belonged 
 to different denominations. The evenings were 
 almost exclusively employed in fervent prayer to 
 God for the influence of the Holy Spirit, conscious 
 that His agency was indispensable, attended with 
 moat humble and hearty confession of sin, and 
 earnest, spirited appeals to the people for their 
 eternal benefit in the name of Jesus Christ. 
 
 " The preaching, in these revivale, was distinctly 
 marked with that truth which vindicated God's 
 government over His creatures, and charged the 
 sinner with the gmlt of violating His holy law. 
 It was that kind of preaching which seemed more 
 careful to please God than to be approved of men ; 
 which showed the sinner that, while his misery 
 was the result of his own choice, hia salvation and 
 ultimate happiness depended entirely on God's 
 choice. Of course, it was his only hope and ia- 
 dispensable duty to repent and believe the Gospel, 
 and- look to God through the atonement of Christ 
 
98 MEMOIR OF 
 
 for pardon and justification as an act of His sov- 
 ereign grace. Convictions for sin were deep and 
 pungent, both in aaints and sinners, and at times 
 it was hard to know in which they excelled, for 
 backsliders returned in deed and in truth, and not 
 in word only. 
 
 "The conviction of the sinner arose at first 
 from a sight of his life ; he had done wrong, and 
 he feared justice, and awfully trembled in view 
 of hell; but soon he saw his heart was worse, 
 much worse than his life had been, and was the 
 seat of the difficulty, for it was enmity against 
 God ; that the imaginations of the thoughts of the 
 heart were evil, and had been evil contihnally, 
 and therefore there was no hope but in the mercy 
 of God. Truth led them to discover that nothing 
 but the righteousness of Christ imparted to them 
 could give them such a character as they needed 
 for acceptance with God. The length of time con- 
 viction for sin continued, varied from one day to 
 three weeks; generally, from one to two weeks. 
 It was not a common thing for a convicted sinner 
 to find peace of mind in public meetings. Few, 
 it is believed, date their conversion in the confer- 
 ence-room, or while others were praying with 
 them. The greater number gained evidence of 
 pardon from God, against whom they had sinfted, 
 
HBV. ALFRED BEHHETT. 99 
 
 ■wlule they were alonei in hiunble prayer, reading 
 the Bible, or in silent meditation. 
 
 " The prevailing eserciBes of the converted were 
 love, joy, and peace : love to God aa the sov- 
 ereign of ^e world, to Christ aa the Saviour of 
 sinners, to the Bible, the people and eervice of 
 God. The holy law of God, which was their chief 
 trouble before, now afforded exi^uisite delight. 
 They would often say, Oh, how Icxve I thy law/ it 
 is my medita^on all the day. But Christ, the 
 bleased Christ, was the theme on which all loved 
 to dwell. He seemed to occupy most of the 
 thoughts and affections, and out of the abundance 
 of the" heart the mouth spoke. Christ crucified 
 occupied a large place in all the exhortations and 
 addresses, in which the saints gave vent to their 
 feelings in the public assembly, and by wliich 
 they sought to win back their fellow-sinners from 
 the paths of the destroyer." 
 
 We are apt to indulge in illusion .respecting the 
 past : as in the recollection of some departed 
 friend, we forget the faults and magnify the virtues. 
 Hestor, the sage of the Eiad, is ever dilating with 
 the garrulity of dotage upon the majestic warriors 
 and deeds of mighty daring, fiimiliar in his recol- 
 lections of other days, and contrasting with the 
 iathers the puny and degeno-ate virtues of their 
 
100 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Bons. This is hranan nature. The venerated men 
 who were the fathers in our churches, as they pass 
 from our midst, doubtless often become enshrined 
 by our imagination in exalted excellencies which 
 exceed the reality. So also of events. The revi- 
 vals of former years, as they are now recounted 
 to us, might seem to be attended ■vyith none of the 
 evils which, in the present, are often seen to ac- 
 company them, because memory recalls only the 
 good accomplished. 
 
 While, however,, we make aU proper abatement 
 for this obliviousness to the evils of the past ; the 
 disunion in churches, the great defection in con- 
 verts, and the general deterioration of piety, so 
 often following revival efforts now, cannot fail to 
 impress the reader with a conviction that other 
 and evil elements are at work to produce results 
 so diverse from those above recorded. The Chris- 
 tian ought, indeed, still to utter the fervent prayer 
 of the prophet, Lord, revive Thy wwh, as the 
 only hope of true spiritual progress ; but it may 
 well be coupled with the eai-nest enti-eaty that the 
 work of man, in the temporary excitement of the 
 religious passions, be not impiously substituted 
 for the work of God, and disaster and desolation 
 come in the stead of blessing and the fruits of 
 godliness. 
 
KEV. ALFEED BETJHETr. 
 
 CHAPTEE YII. 
 
 DuEiHa his earlier life as pastor, Mr. Bennett 
 occupied a ccmspicnous position amidst a group of 
 men in the Madison Association, distinguished by 
 their extraordinary mental endowments, the depth 
 and power of their spiritual exercises, and the 
 ■wide-spread influence they have exerted. The 
 memory of these godly men still lingers with rich 
 fragrance in the hearts of the fathers in our 
 churches ; but as that generation is rapidly disap- 
 ' pearing in the tomb, their remembrance must soon 
 pass away, and their record he left only on high. 
 
 Mostly without scholastic education, there was 
 yet a native vigor and compass of intellect, an 
 intimate acc[uaintance with the letter and spirit of 
 the Bible, and an entireness of self-sacrifice on the 
 altar of Christ, which gave them a power now 
 seldom wielded in the ministry or the church. 
 Their temporal support was secured chiefly by 
 their own toil : thev held the plow and swung the 
 9* 
 
102 MEMOIE Off 
 
 axe with the sturdy force of pioneers in the forest. 
 The Scriptures were their chief library ; the woods 
 and fields, where upon their knees they wrestled 
 with God, were the place of their study. They 
 went thus into the log-cabin, or the humble school- 
 house, and in the midst of the gathered crowd, 
 spake of Christ and His salvation with a Divine 
 unction and power which was evidently from the 
 Holy Ghost. Often held in deep distrust by 
 Christians of other names, and menaced with petty 
 persecution, the hearts of these early ministers 
 w^ere only knit the more closely in their own 
 brotherhood. 
 
 Nor were the ministry alone distinguished. 
 There were men of peculiar force of character and 
 godly zeal in less public station. Nearly every 
 chtirch numbered a few such among its founders ; 
 men mighty in the Scriptures and ia prayer, full 
 of faith and of the Holy Ghost. Their houses 
 were the hospitable home of the weai-y minister 
 on his way to some, distant appointment, the place 
 where the neighborhood assembled for prayer and 
 preaching, and noted in the spiritual history of 
 many around as associated with their conversion 
 to God. These holy men often spent weeks in 
 visiting from house to house, to converse upon the 
 interests of the soul and plead with God for the 
 
RET. AlEEED BS^nTETT. 103 
 
 salvation of their fellow-men. At the dose of the 
 aermon on the Sabbath, it waa customary for soma 
 one or more of them, to take up the preacher's 
 theme and make a practical application of it to 
 the congregation ; and not seldom was the exhor- 
 tation of the deacon attended with mightier energy 
 than the discourse of the "Elder" — tiiis last being 
 then the common designation of a pastor, -whether 
 he were in youth or age. Among them stood 
 Jonathan Olmstead, with Samnel and Eli&ha 
 Payne, of Hamilton ; the now venerable Ebenezer 
 "Walcely, of Pitcher ; with Asa Bennett and John 
 Eeep, of Homer. These, with other distinguished 
 laymen, whom the limits of this work do not per- 
 mit me to mention, were men of peculiar might- 
 Their intellectnal power was associated with great 
 depth of experimental religion ; in maturing plans 
 for extending the Hngdom of Christ, they were 
 gifted with extraordinary wisdom; and seldom 
 was there a revival of religion whose approach 
 was not betokened by the iucreaeing" fervor and 
 strengthening feith of these holy men. 
 
 The Association was the meeting of chief inter- 
 est. To this hallowed gathering the elders and 
 bretbien came np with great gladness, as to one 
 of flie richer feasts of Son. Their garments were 
 only of hota,espim, but beneath them beat hearts 
 
104 MEMOIK OF 
 
 glowing with love to Christ and to o '^i.J^i,„ , 
 and the greetings had a warmth and { iMj sincer- 
 ity, which the " progress" of nearly t j,lf a century 
 has not increased. Happily, an AtJociation had 
 not then become a merely fiscal or^jdnization, or a 
 place where every agitator went tj quarrel for his 
 peculiar "resolutions;" but Cjristian brethren 
 met to mingle holy sympatb' ^s in mutual trials, 
 invoke in unison the pre? acq and anointing of 
 the Holy Ghost, and giv themselves afresh for 
 the work of Christ. Ii. the earliest times, no 
 person was previously appointed to deliver the 
 annual sermon; but when they were assembled, 
 by general consent, some member was requested 
 to speak to them the Gospel ; and often these ex- 
 temporaneous effusions were attended vsdth great 
 power. When they parted, it was usually with 
 tears, and many were the revival influences which 
 went forth from this holy convocation. 
 
 Prominent among the compeers of Mr. Bennett 
 was AsTibel Hosmer, pastor at Hamilton. Without 
 classical education, he was a man of rare natural 
 eloquence, sound in judgment, quick of discern- 
 ment, and indefatigable in his exertions. "Great 
 and unwearied were his labors for the cause of 
 truth ; travelling night and day, in heat and frost, 
 snow and rain, through dismal wilds and unbeaten 
 
EEV. AI^PRTTO BEKHBTT. 105 
 
 roads, oftentimes hongry, wet, and cold, -without 
 any prospect of pecuniary reward." One of the 
 first in the ministry who had settled west of the 
 Hudson, he was a pioneer in the wilderness, and 
 stood unfil his death a leader among the churches. 
 He died, 1812, "with unshaken confidence in that 
 Eedeemer whose cause he so zealously espotised, 
 and whose Gospel he preached with so much fer- 
 vency." 
 
 Younger, but of higher mental power, was 
 Salmon Morton, the pastor of Madison. The 
 "law-work" in his religious experience had been 
 deep and powerful ; it was through fearftd mental 
 struggles he passed from darkness and despair to 
 the light and glory of the Cross. He was a man 
 of giant inteilect, with wonderful compass and 
 power of expression. Often would he hold an 
 assembly for two hours in rapt attention, whOe 
 he unfolded the profoimd mysteries of redemption. 
 Learned, in the technical sense, he was not ; but 
 educated he was, if powers discipliaed to rigid 
 investigation, a wide grasp of thought, and ex- 
 tended acquisitiona in biblical and theological 
 knowledge, are true marks of education. Deficient 
 in the practical wisdom of the pastor, his power 
 lay in the pulpit, especially in the development of 
 the profounder themes of the Gospel : the oppoaeif 
 
106 MEMOIE Off 
 
 and the skeptic have often trembled before him. 
 "His zeal in a day of persecution would have 
 brought him speedily to a martyr's stake. Though 
 valiant in soul, he was often tender and humble as 
 a child. Seldom did he preach a sermon without 
 tears flowing, under a sense of the condition of the 
 impenitent, or the infinite depth of divine com- 
 passion." He entered into rest in 1822. 
 
 Ohed Warren, of Eaton, was another among 
 the worthies around the earlier life of Mr. Bennett. 
 Above the ordinary stature, of ruddy countenance, 
 expressive of great resolution and energy, he was 
 always in motion. He feared not the face of man, 
 but with an unflinching faithfulness, which re- 
 minded you of Paul, he shimned not to declare aU 
 the covmsel of God, and ceased not to wa/m eoery 
 one night and day with tea/rs. Sound in doctrine, 
 " his preaching was plain, practical, and impres- 
 sive." In council, he was quick, impidsive; his 
 conclusions seemed rather the result of intuition 
 than of reasoning, yet they were ordinarily verified 
 by the most extended investigation; and his 
 prayers, added to his counsels, would always in- 
 spire you with confidence and hope. The dying 
 words of this man of God were the natural con- 
 clusion of his life : Fa/reiweU! lam^nwefrom 
 thu llood of all tnm. 
 
RET. AlFEED BBmuaT. lOT 
 
 John Z(ewt(m,ot German, waa one of the seniors _ 
 among his brethren. Above the medium height 
 and somewhat slender in person, a countenance 
 grave and mild was espressive of the qualities 
 which distinguished him. He was a "Mr. Stand- 
 fast ;" not a man to be turned from the right path 
 either by passion or by novelty, but always sound 
 in the Scriptures, pursuing with steady, unosten- 
 tatious zeal the holy work of the miniBtry. Judi- 
 cious in counsel, Mod, earnest, and dignified in 
 manner, the universal affection with which he was 
 regarded would be naturally blended with feelings 
 of veneration. His power in the pulpit was not 
 in those startling thoughts and bursts of passion 
 which suddenly arouse the intenser emotions; 
 but his words, distilling as the dew, with refresh- 
 ing influence, calmed the agitated soul and awoke 
 gentler and holier trains of thought and emotion. 
 He was the man to he implicitly trusted, of 
 weighty opinion, and whose character the breath 
 of reproach could never tarnish, " The wilderness 
 and the solitary place" were made glad by him ; 
 Ms indefatigable labors, though now without wiitten 
 record, are indelibly marked in the earlier history 
 of many churches in that region, and in ths' " book 
 of remembrance" before the Lord. 
 
 JPeter P. Soota was for several years the cflily man 
 
108 MEMOIE OF 
 
 of classical education. For eighteen years, lie was 
 almost incessantly engaged as a missionary, often 
 at his own expense, during whicli he ordinarily 
 rode three thousand miles a year, and preached 
 three hundred sermons. Portly in form and of 
 countenance benignant, his life, though intensely 
 actire, was overcast for the most part by religious 
 depression. His discourses were "evangelical, 
 sensible, plain, and richly stored with Scripture 
 truth." His was the learned pen which the less 
 literary of his brethren invoked, to point their 
 crude sentences and aid in giving just written ex- 
 pression to their sentiments. Like good "Mr. 
 Fearing," though his life had been full of doubts, 
 his dying hours were filled with holy comfort and 
 triumph ; and it was observed, " the water of that 
 river was lower at this time than ever I saw it in 
 my life, and he went over at last, not much above 
 wetshod." 
 
 Of somewhat different characteiistics was John 
 Peck, then in youth, the active pastor of Cazenovia. 
 Gentle and winning in manner, he touched the 
 tenderer chords in the heart with a persuasive 
 power, which often effected more than the most 
 masterly reasonings and the loftiest bursts of elo- 
 quence. Simple and impretending, gi-ave and 
 earnest, there was a heavenly-mindedness in con- 
 
HEV. Ai;ntED BENHBTT. 109 
 
 versation and prayer, an nna^eted Bincerity in 
 liis diBCOUTBea, and a ■weeping compaaBion in liis 
 appeals, ■wMcl, carried conviction to the conBcience 
 and diaanned all oppoBition. He ivaa wise in 
 ■winning eouls, and re^rivala were continually 
 around him. Pradent in cotmsel, and eminently 
 blessed as a peacemaker, there ■was no man ■who 
 ruled -with greater power in the hearts of his 
 brethren. Love was the element he breathed, 
 and it ■was diffosed all aronnd him. 
 
 Wdtlitmiel Mmd/rick, of Eaton, was a man of 
 more capacious mind. Theugh devoid of classical 
 attainments, be "was even at this period a profound 
 thinker in theology. Tall and muscnlar in fona, 
 slow and measured in speech, except ■when roused 
 by the glow and energy of mental action, com- 
 bining in the expression of his features great force 
 of character mth high intellectual power, he was 
 al^ways a leader whose weighty judgment gave 
 direction to the counsels of the brotherhood. On 
 occasions of great magnitude, ■when the canse 
 needed a powerftd advocate, the lot commonly fell 
 on "Elder Kendrict," whose literary acquire- 
 ments, depth of thought, and disciplined powers, 
 eminently fitted him to make the proper impres- 
 sion. His library was the common resort for the 
 resolution of doubtftd theological questions, and 
 10 
 
110 MEMOEE Off 
 
 " the counsel, which, he counselled in those days, 
 was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God." 
 
 Others there were, also distinguished, as the 
 venerated Thomas Pii/rmton, of Truxton, and 
 Dcmid Hascall, of Hamilton, then in their prime 
 and might, whose revered forms are still among 
 us, and whose eulogies, therefore, we may not be 
 permitted to record. 
 
 Probably few preachers of the present day have 
 equalled in pulpit power these earlier servants of 
 God. They were mostly men who had been forced 
 into the work by the. urgency of conviction. A 
 woe was upon them, if they preached not the Gos- 
 pel. Without educational advantages, they were 
 men of original thought, and drank in truth from 
 no secondary springs, but at the pure fountain of 
 God's Word. Their dependence on the Spirit of 
 God was constant and heartfelt. In this lay their 
 great strength. They preached, as well as prayed, 
 m the HoVy Ohost. The effects following were 
 often of the most striking character, and such as 
 are now rarely witnessed, except in seasons of 
 special revival. Experimental religion was the 
 theme of their ministry ; and if they dwelt much 
 upon the deeper doctrines of the Gospel, it was 
 because these foundation ti'uths were closely asso- 
 ciated with their own profound religious exerdses. 
 
Ill 
 
 The "strong meat" dealt out by these Mthfal 
 stewards of God, made tealtliy and Tigorous 
 Christians, rising " unto the measTire of the stature 
 of the fulness of Christ ;" of -whoni not a, few re- 
 main, exhibiting a distinctness of doctrinal 
 views, a ripeness of religions experience, and a 
 purenesB of Christian character, which attest the 
 mighty power of the doctrine of grace, as an ele- 
 ment of Christian development. 
 
 From the men thus associated went forth infla- 
 ences of great power. Among them ori^ated 
 the Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society, under 
 whose auspices a large number of churches in 
 Central Kew York were organized and grew up 
 to streugth, and which subsequently became a 
 chief constituent elemeut in the ISTew Tork Baptist 
 State Convention. IVom agencies in their midst, 
 also, arose the New Tork Baptist Education So- 
 ciety and the Hamilton Literary and Theological 
 Institution, over whose destinies Kendrick and 
 Hascall long presided, and by which multitudeB 
 have been aided in a preparation for the ministry, 
 and sent forth to bless the world. Men of self- 
 denial, faith, and prayer, not of titled learning, 
 but of great mental and moral strength, they were 
 honored of Heaven in the pioneer work connected. 
 with the Kedeemer's kingdom. 
 
112 MEMOIE OF 
 
 Among these men, Mr. Bennett held a distin- 
 guished position. His presence was always hailed 
 with joy in the association, the councU, or other 
 gathering of the brotherhood. Eminently warm- 
 hearted and social, frank and generous, he was a 
 universal favorite in the ministry. The announce- 
 ment that he was to preach on any public occasioi', 
 would always collect a crowd. The effects of his 
 preaching in later life, though often remarkabk^ 
 probably never equalled those produced by his 
 efforts at this period, while the fire and energy of 
 youth were undiminished by physical exhaustion 
 and infirmity. Often has a whole assembly sat 
 and wept, as from his capacious soul, which 
 seemed filled with the Holy Ghost, he poured 
 forth the melting truths of the Gospel, and spake 
 of the value of the soul and the realities of an 
 eternal world. A heavenly glow would seem to 
 light up the speaker's mind, and his lips had 
 utterance in burning words, as if touched with a 
 liviag coal from the altar of God. 
 
EGT. ALFRED BENHETT, 
 
 .CHAPTER Yin. 
 
 CLOSING PASTOEAL WOBK. 
 
 The mifisioiiary spirit, which was already bniiiiiig 
 in tlie boBom of the pastor, he Bought to enkindle 
 in the heai'ts of the conyerts gathered into the 
 church during the revivals which have been men- 
 tioned. At his Buggestion a missionary* Bociety 
 was organized among the yonng people, two of 
 whoBO membere afterwards went forth to labor 
 among the heathen : this aSBociation continues a 
 means of much usefulness to the present day. 
 
 The Oneida Indians, then a tribe of very con- 
 sidei'able extent, early attracted the attention of 
 the Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society; and 
 at the dose of 1819, a depntation, consisting of 
 Messrs. Bennett and Lawton, was sent to explore 
 the field, with reference to the establishment of a 
 mission among them. They were received with 
 much cordiality on the part of most, and, after a 
 season of great interest, returned with a report 
 favoring the proposed enterprise. He was en- 
 gaged in 1830 and 1821 in temporary agencies 
 10* 
 
114 JVEEMOIE OF 
 
 for the above society, and his journal shows the 
 great interest he felt in the extension of the Gospel. 
 Numerous societies for missionary purposes were 
 organized during these tours. In 1822 we find 
 the following record in a brief journal : 
 
 " Oct. 8. — Commending my dear family and 
 people to Almighty God, I set out as agent for the 
 Hamilton Baptist Missionaiy Society, to visit the 
 Eastern States, and make collections. My spirits 
 were much depressed, but found them a little 
 raised by Christian society on the way. 
 
 " 9.--M!et with the Board at Oneida, and re- 
 ceived instructions for my journey. How incom- 
 petent to the work upon which I am entering! 
 O Lord, except thy presence go with me, send me 
 not 'wp! In the afternoon attended a council with 
 the Indians : found them anxious for instruction. 
 Meditated upon their deplorable situation, and 
 said, with" more than, common feeling, Who hath 
 made me to differ f After the setting of the sun, 
 when we had commended each other to God, on 
 whom we believed, I took my leave of the brethren 
 with a heavy heart." 
 
 During this journey, upon which he seems to 
 have entered with many misgivings respecting his 
 adaptation for such a work, he visited Connecticut, 
 Ehode Island, and Massachusetts, and was every- 
 
KBV, AlEKED BEHSETT. 115 
 
 ■where received witli gi'eat respect and kindneaB. 
 Hia interviewe with Dr. Gano, at Providence, and 
 Dr. Baldwin, in Boston, ai"e mentioned with spe- 
 cial intei-est, A visit to his parents is thus de- 
 scribed ; 
 
 "17. — Arrived at my father's house, and found 
 my pai-ents in usual health. In the mutual indul- 
 gence of social and natui'al feeling, we sat down 
 together, and together knelt down before the 
 Throne. I then retired, and was led to reflect 
 upon the blessings of a fathei-'s house. The chil- 
 dren of God ehall always live in their Father's 
 house, and eat at their Tather's tahle." 
 
 He was absent on this tour seven weekB, during 
 which he fa-avelled in his own conveyance more 
 thaa one thousand miles, and collected for the 
 Indian Mission nearly five hundred dollars — a 
 result which was regarded then as most anccessful. 
 
 Though constantly engaged thus in active exer- 
 tion for the Esdeemer's kingdom, his cup was not 
 one of unmingled joy. A letter of December 27, 
 1833, reveals some of the trials with which he was 
 encompassed : 
 
 " Sui'ely, the goodness and mercy of God are 
 from everlasting to everlasting. If I ask myself 
 why I have hope in Christ, I cam only say, hecause 
 God would have it bo. 
 
116 ' mMOIE OF 
 
 ' 'T was the same love that spread the feast 
 
 Which sweetly forced me in ; 
 Else I had still refused to taste, 
 And perished in my sin.' 
 
 I am compelled to eay and write bitter things 
 against myself. My heart is cold and hard ; my 
 understanding, dark. I feel a great want of hu- 
 mility. Oh^ that I were as in months past, when 
 the candle of tlie Lord shone romid about 7ne, and 
 hy His Ught I walked through danrhness ! That 
 which I find in myself, which occasions sorrow, is 
 not all my grief. Zion here is languishing. Many 
 churches are without ministers ; some in deep 
 difficulty. JSTearly all are without any special 
 revival." 
 
 The spirit of emigration at this time, also, began 
 to come over the church like an overwhelming- 
 flood, and very many of the younger members 
 removed westward. Though it was pleasant to 
 him to know that they went forth in the spii'it and 
 power of the Grospel, the loss was also deeply felt, 
 especially as death began now to take away some 
 of the pillars in the chm-ch. EQs brother, Deacon 
 Asa Bennett, was removed by death in 1825 ; and 
 Judge Keep, also, became enfeebled, and though 
 he lingered longer, a few years after was taken 
 up to rest. These were the companions of his 
 
OJETT. 117 
 
 early miniatry, men ijpoii ■whom he had been wont 
 to lean for many yeai's. Theii- aoimd judgment, 
 earnest, practical godliness, and enlightened zeal, 
 had contributed much to his success as a pastor. 
 Of the former it is recorded, " he devoted his time 
 frequently for weeks, and, in one instance, for 
 three months together, in visiting from house to 
 house by day, exhorting and praying with familiee, 
 and in the evening attending conference and 
 prayer meetings, or otherwise laboring for the 
 extension of the cause of Christ in the world." 
 The loss of two such men bore heavily upon the 
 heart of the bereaved servant of God. 
 
 The dying hours of Deacon Asa Bennett, which 
 were eminently characteriatic of his active Ufe, 
 are thus described in the language of his brother 
 Alfred; 
 
 " For months before he died, he wished to hear 
 no convei'sation upon things earthly; he would 
 say, I have done with these things ; they afford 
 me no entertainment; talk on death, judgment, 
 heaven, eternity ; these things I am approaching, 
 and these are all-important to me and others also- 
 Much useful instnictiou was from time to time 
 communicated by him: the following remarks 
 will serve as a specimen, 
 
 "At one time he said, I have much company of 
 
118 MEMOtB OF 
 
 the best kind, such as ministers, deacons, and 
 eminently pious Christian friends ; yet in them I 
 can discover much that is unlike the glorious So- 
 viov/r. What then must we think of many pro- 
 fessors, and in what an awful condition must the 
 world be, which lieth in wickedness about us ! 
 
 " To the pastor of the chxirch, who had been for 
 some months laid by from pulpit labors, through 
 bodily indisposition, he said, My work is done, 
 but I think God wiU yet raise you up for further 
 usefulness in the church, and if you ever do get 
 able to preach again, 'bQfcdthful to God, and deal 
 with souls in earnest ; urge upon the people the 
 necessity of personal, practical Twliness. Many 
 mistake the object entirely, while they live stupid 
 and encumbered with the cares of this world, and 
 yet hope that when they come to be sick and die, 
 they shall enjoy religion. TeU them that aflBic- 
 tion, sickness, and death will not give comfort, or 
 secure to them any evidence of theii* good estate : 
 it is the Spirit and love of God in the heart which 
 will give this, and that must be secured by a life 
 devoted to God in holy obedience thi-ough Jesus 
 Christ. Some depend much upon the last moments 
 of life, and inquire with much earnestness, how 
 did the person feel ? what did he say ? This is no 
 certain test of a sinner's good estate. Necessity 
 
EBV. ALEEED BENHEIT. 119 
 
 may induce a person then to say that wMch the 
 Tiewrt never aubacribed to. It is an awftil place to 
 make a wreck, just as they think they are entering 
 the port of Heaven ! Men -will die as they live ; 
 the charactei' is formed for heaven or hell in Ufe, 
 not in death. Oh, that they conld see this aa it 
 appeara to me ! Tell sinners to repent and believe 
 the Gospel ; utge the necessity of it ; exhibit the 
 holiness of the -law of God; hold np the glorious 
 character of a crucified Redeemer in the Goepel ; 
 persuade, beseech them to bo reconciled to God. 
 Death, judgment, and an awful hell are just before 
 them, and they heed it not ; they are asleep, yea, 
 dead in tlmr sins. 
 
 "At another time, some of the youth of the 
 church and congregation visited him, and spent 
 some time in singing hymns, one of which begins : 
 
 ' From wlierice doth this union msa )' 
 
 In the last stanza the following words delighted 
 hiin much : 
 
 ' And all Hia brigM glory AaS see' 
 
 It was hia favorite hymn, but it e 
 him tiien. I am, said he, going into that glory 
 immediately — it is near — ^it does not seem to he 
 an arm's length — no, it is here, right iefme me! 
 
120 MEMOIE OP 
 
 The special savor of this lasted with him several 
 
 days." 
 
 The departure of this excellent servant of God, 
 though thus triumphant, left the bereaved brother 
 and pastor in deep affliction; for it pleased the 
 Lord, also, to visit him with severe iUness. In 
 March, 1825, as intimated above, he was laid 
 aside from aU public labors, and for seven months 
 did not resume his place in the pulpit. Much 
 alarm was felt lest death should remove him, too, 
 from his earthly usefulness. Of this period he 
 remarks, in a letter dated May 1, 1825 : 
 
 "It seemed to me quite likely my time had 
 come to die. But I could not say that I was in 
 perfect readiness to go. I thought of my com- 
 panion and children: they were dear to me. I 
 looked on them and loved them ; yet felt as though 
 I could leave them with more composure than I 
 could part with the dear people of my charge. 
 The condition in which the church would be left 
 affected me much, and sometimes held my eyes 
 waking in the night watches. Deacon Bennett has 
 served his generation, I believe, according to the 
 wUl of God. He is going down to the grave, and 
 has probably done all he ever will do for the 
 Church. Well, thought I, must Zion be deprived 
 of one of her best members, and this church of 
 
EEV, AlEEBD BHHNMT. 121 
 
 its most Tiseful deacon, and its poor, unworthy 
 pastor at the same time ! WHen, also, I consid- 
 ered the state of the world lying in -wickedness 
 ai-onnd me, witli few to lift theii' warning voice, or 
 point inquiring eouls to the Lamb of Giod, I was 
 inclined etiU to remain in the flesh, and labor a 
 little longer for the establishment of saints and 
 the converBion of sinners. At present I am 
 slowly recovering, and am now concerned, should 
 I come back again to life, lest I be a burden rath- 
 er than a blessing. How unhappy must he be 
 who, under the reign of grace, does not retu/rn 
 agavn according to the mercy received !" 
 
 These trials, however, were only aa the gloom 
 of night which deepens before the coming day. 
 While he was yet in feeble health, another gra^ 
 cions revival began its work in the congregation, 
 the effects of which were hardly less extensive 
 than in 1820. From a letter addressed to his 
 " Honored Parents," December 23, 1825, descrip- 
 tive of the beginning of this work, we take the 
 following : 
 
 " I attended a conference last week on Thursday 
 evening at the East Settlement. The school-honse 
 is large and convenient, but it was filled to over- 
 flowing. The meeting opened about six o'clock, 
 and imtil nine the time was well occupied. Thirty- 
 
122 MEMOIE OF 
 
 eight different persons sppke on the subject of 
 religion with great solemnity and interest, while 
 the most profound attention prevailed through 
 the assembly, notwithstanding they were uncom- 
 fortably crowded. Among the number who spoke 
 were three lads, about fifteen years of age, who 
 told us of the joy in religion which they had ex- 
 perienced within a few days past. Tuesday and 
 part of Wednesday I spent in visiting from house 
 to house on East Eiver, when I conversed with 
 about fifty persons, old and young, nearly all of 
 whom seemed more or less affected by the Spirit 
 of Truth. The members of the church living in 
 that neighborhood were much engaged, and others, 
 who had once indulged hope, begaiL to feel the 
 importance of either acting in accordance with it, 
 or seeking a better one : sinners viewed them- 
 selves in much danger, and were deeply troubled 
 to know what they must do to be saved. 
 
 " What wiU be the event of this excitement 
 among the people, I know not. My soul's desire 
 is that they may be saved. God is able to work 
 by His Holy Spirit, building up the Church, and 
 appearing in His glory. Without Sim we can 
 do nothing. I was always unworthy of the min- 
 istry, and very incapable of fulfilling its important 
 work : if God has ever accomplished any good by 
 
EEY, AiFEED EEHHETT. 
 
 me, it has been by taking one of the weak things 
 to confoand tbo' mightj', and to Him be all the 
 glory. My mind has been much q^aickened of 
 late. The Gospel and the Saviour appear pre- 
 cious ; the Sciiptures are full of sweetneas, the 
 souls of men seem valuable, time looks shoi-t, 
 and death, judgment, and eternity appear near. 
 What sweet entertainment 'wiU the saints hare 
 ■with the Saviour in the heavenly state ! free from 
 sin, and made like unto their Lord. When the 
 powers of the soul become sufficiently strength- 
 ened (as they will at death) to endure those visions 
 of glory which will break upon the enraptured 
 sight, and enjoy that exceeding amd eternal weight 
 of glory before the throne of God, now so far 
 above the reach of earthly conception, how will 
 this world, with its interests and pleasures, appear 
 insignificant and contemptible I" 
 
 Of this awakening, he elsewhere writes : " The 
 work has been good, gradual, and powerful. It 
 has also been q^uite general over the town, al- 
 though in some neighborhoods it has not been 
 ,very thorough. If we reckon all as couverted to 
 God who have expressed hope in Christ, we 
 should number neai'ly fom' hundred in this town 
 as having been of late subjects of renewing grace ; 
 probably more than three hundred will at last 
 
124 MEMOIE OF 
 
 shine as stars in the kingdom of their Father. 
 All the religious denominations have shared in 
 the work." As the immediate result of this rich 
 manifestation of grace, ninety were added to the 
 Baptist church ; but its influences continued long 
 afterwards in the increased enjoyment and union 
 among the people of God. 
 
 The family of Mr. Bennett, consisting of four 
 sons and one daughter, had hitherto been unbro- 
 ken by death. He had often been called to stand 
 at the grave of the dead among his flock, and 
 mingle his sympathies with bereaved parental 
 hearts ; but never had personal experience bowed 
 his own soul with that form of grief. This cup 
 was now given him to drink. His daughter, Elsi- 
 na, while on a visit to Truxton, was suddenly at- 
 tacked by disease, and in a few days hurried away 
 by death, in her fourteenth yeai-. During the 
 recent revival, her mind had been much exercised, 
 but she had as yet made no public profession of 
 hope in Christ. A letter, Sept. 25, 1S-2G, in which 
 he says, " Her corpse lies beside me in the room 
 while I am writing," contains the following re- 
 marks indicative of the manner in which he bore 
 this afflictive stroke : " This I can say, God is 
 just and good, and hath done as seemed good in 
 "His siglit. I thought I had some freedom at 
 
RET. ALFRED BENHEIT. 12S 
 
 times during her sickneHB, in prayer, that her 
 spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Je- 
 sus ; and with Him the Judge of all, I must leave 
 the case. I desire greatly that I may not come 
 out of the deep waters of this afSiction, without 
 gaining much lasting good to my soul. I needed 
 just such a eti-ote from the correcting hand of my 
 Heavenly Father; but oh! how unwilling I was 
 to meet it! My imhelieving heart said, Lord, 
 keep Thy chastening hand away. But shaE we 
 not be in subjection to the Fattier of Spirits and 
 liver 
 
 The church had now become so large, that their 
 house of worship was wholly inadequate for the 
 accommodation of the congregation, and in 1827 
 a harmonious division of the body was effected, 
 forming the three churches at Homer, Cordand- 
 ville, and McGrawville ; in each of which there 
 are still many who recall with fervent gratitude 
 the holy ministry of their former venerated pas- 
 tor. He continued in the pastoral office with that 
 part which located in the village of Homer. Hwe 
 au efficient church gathered round him, and in 
 1830, the Divine Presence filled their new sanctu- 
 ary, and reviving influences were again felt. In 
 a communication to Dr. Bolles, Jan. 30, after star 
 ting his' previous intention to comply so far with 
 11* 
 
126 MEMOIH OF 
 
 the request of the Foreign Missionary Board as 
 to spend a number of weeks among the churches 
 in behalf of missions, he remarks : " And now, 
 dear sir, I must say the way is closed up for the 
 present against my leaving home. There are very 
 flattering appearances in the town, and especially 
 in the church and congregation with which I am 
 connected, of an extensive revival of pure religion. 
 The church is awaking out of sleep, and meet- 
 ings on devotional occasions, a few weeks past, 
 have been exceedingly interesting. Besides, in 
 the village and other neighborhoods, the youth to 
 the number of from one hmadred and fifty to one 
 hundred and seventy-five are engaged in Bible- 
 claas instruction ; and in three out of the four 
 _ classes there is great solemnity, some having deep 
 conviction for sin. A few have found peace by 
 the blood of Christ, while many others are still 
 inquiring." 
 
 These signs of promise were not fallacious. The 
 interest continued to increase, and in Mai'ch of 
 the same year he wrote : " The revival is stiR in- 
 teresting ; my attention is almost wholly engrossed 
 with it. Perhaps forty or fifty souls have of late 
 expressed hope in the Saviour, and many more 
 are under deep impressions of mind." 
 
 A sermon he preached July 4, 1830, entitled 
 
KEV. ALFRED BENNETT. 127 
 
 The Kingdom of Christ distm,guiahed from the 
 Kingdom of C'cesar, which was subsequently pub- 
 lished at the recLnest of his congregation, involTed 
 him in an extended newspaper discussion. The 
 discourse was a distinct enunciation and defence 
 of the great scriptural principle, " That civil gov- 
 ernment is to be respected and supported nnder 
 the Gospel dispensation as a distinct thing en- 
 tirely" from the interests and government of the 
 Church ;" that in matters purely civil Christians 
 ought to render obedience to the civil magistrate, 
 but in things appertaining to religion they owe 
 fealty alone to Christ, To some of the positions 
 assumed in the illustration of this truth, much 
 exception was taken by Pedobaptists, and the 
 public discussion, long and warm, elicited at that 
 time great interest. As the correspondence is not 
 now before me, its points cannot here be stated. 
 It gave, however, not only publicity but additional 
 reputation to Mr. Bennett in the denomination 
 with which he was connected. 
 
 The foUovring "tribute, as the blessing of one 
 who was ready to perish," is from a letter ad- 
 dressed to the writer of this wort by ifrs. E., 
 now residing in Michigan, and will be read with 
 interest, as illustrative of his life as pastor. 
 
 " In the summer of 1818, having been a mem- 
 
128 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ber of the churcli, of whicli Mr. Bennett was pas- 
 tor, about a year, my mind became exceedingly 
 distressed and driven nearly to despair, respecting 
 the change of heart which I had professed. At 
 length coming to the conclusion that I ought to 
 withdraw from the chuz'ch, I wrate to him, stating 
 my case, and asking his advice and direction. He 
 replied briefly, in something like the following 
 language : 
 
 " ' Veet dear Sistee in Cheist — 
 
 '"I do most deeply sympathize with you un- 
 der the discouragements of which you complain. 
 After aU I have experienced, when I take a view 
 of the corruption of my own heart, I have many 
 misgivings, lest aU may yet be wrong. But stiU, 
 I do hope in the mercy of God through the aton- 
 ing blood of Christ, that I shall yet obtain the vic- 
 tory over all my inbred, corruption and all the 
 machinations of the adversary. 
 
 " ' I see nothing in youi* case except what Chris- 
 tians in all ages have had to contend with ; and 
 I trust these trials will in the end work for youi* 
 good. Resist temptations. Walk close with God. 
 Cast all your care upon Him ; for He careth for 
 you.' 
 
 " The next winter, while I was attending school 
 
EEv. Alfred benmett. 129 
 
 in the village, and boarding at his lionBe, he im- 
 derstood that I was in need of a few shillings in 
 order to prosecute my studieB to advantage, and 
 unobservedly and silently placed in my hand the 
 requisite amount. 
 
 " In the spring of 1831, hearing that I wished 
 to see Hm, as I had been long in feeble health, he 
 called, and Mndly inquired respecting my situar 
 tion. After patiently listening to the story of my 
 destitution, he said ; 'All that I can do for you 
 now, is to ask God to do every thing that He sees 
 best : let us pray,' I'ather B, had visited and 
 prayed with me many times before in siclmesB, 
 but that was especially a prevailing prayer. I 
 seemed carried by it away from pain, and fear, 
 and care. I appeared enveloped in the devotion 
 of his soul, and warmed by tlie fervor of his pe- 
 tition. My tempest-toased spirit experienced a 
 tranquillity that the world cannot give. It was 
 proplietic ; and my life in regard to temporal 
 things since appears to have been sketched in that 
 prayer, but it will never be fully answered until 
 in a good old age, aB a shock of com folly ripe, I 
 am garnered in the rest which remains for the 
 people of God. 
 
 *' A few days afterwards, he called one morning 
 as lie was pasdng, and gave me some money, say- 
 
130 MEMOIE OF 
 
 ing, ' Your friend authorizes me to leave this with 
 you, to be appropriated to your present want.' I 
 might add much more, but I know that thousands 
 can give a like testimony if they would speak." 
 
 Again, in 1832, a visitation of the Holy Spirit 
 was experienced, in connection with faithful 
 Christian efforts. It was customary then for 
 neighboring pastors to aid each other in special 
 meetings for religious exertion ; and the Divine 
 blessing often richly attended these united labors. 
 Of one of these seasons, he wrote, Mai-ch 3, 1832 : 
 "It has truly been a precious season to many, 
 both in the church and out. Probably one hun- 
 dred have been aroused to a serious inquiry about 
 their souls, and about thirty have expressed hope 
 in the Saviour already during the meeting. "We 
 hope others may soon find peace in believing on 
 Jesus Christ. My time and attention have been 
 all occupied, but it has been a blessed season to 
 me. It is good to see the Spirit of Christ controll- 
 ing the affections of the saints, and elevating their 
 desires towards the throne of God, and behold the 
 subduing power of i-edeeming love bowing the 
 hearts of sinners, once impenitent, to the obe- 
 dience of the faith." 
 
 During his ministry he baptized more than 
 seven hundred and seventy perBons, who gave evi- 
 
BET. AIJTOED BEHHEPT. 131 
 
 dence to the chm-cli of their convGreion. to God, 
 and nearly all of whom made their puhlic profes- 
 sion of religion while he was pastor. Many of 
 these are still living, and adorn the doctrine of 
 God our Saviour. 
 
 These seasons of religions interest are here re- 
 corded, not as filling up the whole of his expa- 
 rience as a pastor, but as indicating the blessings 
 that attended his unremitting exertions. They 
 were harvests ; the bleak and dreary winter, and 
 the laborious seed-time which preceded them, 
 were not less filled with patient watchfulness and 
 earnest effort ; but the fruits were mainly garnered 
 in the ingathering of revival. The pastor's heart 
 was often depressed beneath the cares and toils of 
 his responsible station. Many a sermon seemed 
 to fall powerless upon the cai-eless ear ; many a 
 social prayer-meeting was to him a scene only 
 of sorrow, on account of the wintry atmosphere 
 which pervaded it ; many a difBculty needed kind 
 and carefiil interposition for its adjustment ; many a 
 valued Christian, on whom he leaned, was stricken 
 down by his side, and bome-to the^ grave; and, 
 what brought still more poignant anguish, temp- 
 tation also had. its victims, and some, who once 
 bid fair for heaven, fell beneath its malign power. 
 But the faithful sower, heeding the divine prom- 
 
133 MEMOnS OF. 
 
 ise, in due irnie ye shall rea^, if ye famt not, 
 amidst sunshine and storm, ceased not to scatter 
 broadcast the seeds of life ; and though he often 
 went forth weeping, it was permitted him to re- 
 turn again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with 
 him. 
 
BBV. AI^KKBD BEHNBTT. 
 
 CHAPTER IS. 
 
 THE MISBIONAET AGEHCr. 
 
 The spirit of miBsions is everywhere the same, 
 whether developed in the home or the foreign field. 
 The sickly sentimentalism which haa tears to shed 
 over the lost millionB of paganism, but pnts forth 
 no effort for the evangelization of the nninstructed 
 and guilty multitudea around ub, posBeeses no 
 higher virtue than the contracted sympathy -which 
 extends not beyond its own church-waJls. ■ Nei- 
 ther has its origin at the Cross. That benevolence 
 whose outgushing is only at the tale of distant mis- 
 ery, while the widow and the fatheifless at our door 
 ai-e unvisited, and the lost in our midst are un- 
 sought and mireclaimed, does not flow from the 
 "pure river'of the water of life, clear as crystal, 
 proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb." 
 Jesos wept over Jerusalem. His healing power, 
 with words of heavenly wisdom and invitation, 
 was exerted throughopt 'Judea, while yet before 
 Him stretched the millions of heathendom, and 
 13 
 
134 MEMOIE OF 
 
 His compassionate heart yearned over the lost con- 
 dition of a world. The active Christian at home 
 is ordinarily the true-hearted friend of Christian 
 exertion abroad. 
 
 The men who toiled in our ministry during the 
 past generation possessed much of the missionary 
 spirit. But the moral desolation around them 
 claimed their eflforts. We find them, while their 
 own churches were still in infancy, organizing mis- 
 sionary associations to spread the Gospel. Labo- 
 rious and extended tours were undertaken through 
 the wilderness, when the avenues of travel were 
 yet unopened, dispensing the words of life to the 
 destitute; and in the humble log-cabin many a 
 soul was made to rejoice in pai-don and hope, 
 through these self-denying exertions. When Prov- 
 idence called the Baptist denominalion to engage 
 in the work of foreign missions, these men were 
 among the firdt to respond to the summons, and 
 enter actively into the field. The Madison Asso- 
 ciation, at its annual session, 1814, on receiving a 
 commimication from Luther Rice in behalf of the 
 " General Convention of the Baptist denomination 
 in the United States," after the report of a com- 
 mittee, of which Mr. Bennett was a member, re- 
 sponded with high and grateful enthusiasm, and 
 solemnly " agreed to unite with theii* brethren, 
 
KET. ALEEED BENHETT, 135 
 
 in exerting all their energies to promote tlie glo- 
 riou9 eanse of the Bedeemer, not only by their 
 prayers, but by contributing of their worldly prop- 
 erty." 
 
 The ardent zeal for miasions, with which the 
 Homer pastor sought to inspire the young iu bis 
 congregation, prodaced its effectj not only in con- 
 tributions, but in personal consecration to the wort. 
 In 1829, his ddesfc son, Cephas, who had then re- 
 moTed to Utica, left a lucrative business at the 
 Biimmons of the Master, and entered the service of 
 the boai'd at Eurmah, aS printer, and suhsei^tiently 
 as preacher, among the heathen, where he still 
 labors with eminent fidelity and success. The 
 views of the fether on this occasion are briefly ex- 
 pressed in. a letter to Eev. Alvin Bennett, Septem- 
 ber 24, 1828:- 
 
 "I have at present one source of trial to my 
 natural feelings, of which you ae yet know nofliing 
 by experience. An acquaintance is forming be- 
 tween the Board of Foreign Missions and Cephas, 
 with a view to hie location in Burmah as a printer, 
 to Bpend his life in that distant land. Should such 
 an event occur, you will see it must be a trial to 
 parental hearts. CephajS and his wife are willing 
 to go ; yea, rather wish it. Indeed, his mind has 
 been leading' that way, I have known, for some 
 
136 MEMOm OF 
 
 years, but no door seemed to open until now. 
 Whether he will yet go or not remains to be deter- 
 mined. Should he go at all, he will probably 
 leave America some time next summer. Ifow, 
 aU this, I know, is in perfect accordance with the 
 prayer of faith — Thy Mngdom come — and with the 
 conversion of the heathen to Christ, for they are 
 to be given to Him for His inheritance. I wish 
 to be BtUl, and let the Lord send by whom He 
 pleases, and in the fulness of my heart say, Thy 
 will he done." 
 
 The missionary zeal and eminent qualifications 
 of the revered subject of these pages had long 
 attracted the attention of the Executive Board of 
 Foreign Missions, and in 1828, at their urgent 
 solicitation, he accepted a temporary agency to visit 
 churches and associations as far as would consist 
 with the discharge of his pastoi-al duties. These 
 solicitations were often repeated, and for several 
 years the church, among whom his own ardent 
 love of missions was diffused, permitted him to 
 devote a portion of his time to the interests of that 
 cause. The reports of these labors submitted to 
 the Board show that he was unwearied in his ex- 
 ertions, travelling much through the central and 
 western parts of the State ; yet at their close is 
 usually appended the statement : " All! have done 
 
(HETT. 137 
 
 this year haa been witTwvi cost to the Board." 
 Such was the generona devotion Trith which he 
 gave himself to this work, that in 1831 the Board 
 placed upon their record a resolution expressive 
 of theii- gratitude for his disinterested and holy 
 zeal. 
 
 The providence of God now evidently called hint 
 to devote his undivided energies to the home work 
 of missions. Hia sound judgment, the veneration 
 widely felt for his godly character, and the holy 
 enthuaiasm he awakened everywhere in the mis- 
 sionary enterprise, aU eminently adapted him to 
 arouse the slumhering zeal of the churches in the 
 effort to give the Gospel to the heathen world. 
 But the loved church over which he had so long 
 presided lay near his heart. The thought of dis- 
 solving the pastoral relation was one of painful 
 interest. Most of its memhera had first gained 
 their hopes of heaven under the word of life minis- 
 tered by him; they now clnng tuttund him as 
 their father in the Gospel. It was an occasion 
 of deep emotion when the revered pastor laid 
 before them the commtmication of the Board, pro- 
 posing a permanent separation from, hia people, 
 and the devotion of his remaning days to the in- 
 terests of foreign missions. The church appointed 
 a special meeting for prayer and consideration, 
 12* 
 
138 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the result of which was announced by Mr. Ben- 
 nett in a letter to Dr. Bolles, corresponding secre- 
 tary of the Board, June 13, 1832 : 
 
 " They were unanimous in their desire for me 
 to continue with them, but in view of the import- 
 ance of the missionary enterprise, the call of the 
 Board, and my convictions of duty on the subject, 
 they acc[uiesced, concluding it was of God, that 
 it was my dnty to go, and they ought to submit. 
 Scarcely a brother spoke his mind on the occasion 
 without giving vent to his emotion in tears ; but, 
 I think, grace triumphed, and love to the cause of 
 God, with desire for the wide extension of the Re- 
 deemer's kingdom in the earth, made us aU willing 
 at length cheerfully to pursue that course which 
 seemed to be marked out for us in Divine Provi- 
 dence, looking to God for direction and sup- 
 port. 
 
 "This subject has oppressed me exceedingly. 
 For a long time the foreign mission has seemed 
 to have claims paramount to other objects, and 
 the churches have not been thoroughly awake to 
 its importance. But for two years it has engross- 
 ed my feelings more intensely, and almost unfitted 
 me for other duties. The decision, however, is 
 made, and now my chief solicitude is whether I 
 shall please God, and meet the wishes of the 
 
Board. I tremUe in view of the responsibilities 
 of the etatiou." 
 
 His life as a pastor, uniatermpted for twenty- 
 five yeavs, had "been one of great faithiuhieas. 
 Tiie Spii-it of God wi-ought effectually by him,, and 
 in every direction, for miles around, was ground 
 hallowed by his prayer and toil, and associated 
 with recollections of the trinmphs of grace. And 
 such was the affection and respect with which he 
 ever inspired his c6ngregation,that when a:t length 
 he deemed it his duty to propose a separation, it 
 is beheved iJiere was not a single member, either 
 of the chiu'ch or the congregation, who did not ar- 
 dently love his ministry, and deplore his absence 
 as a personal loss. 
 
 " The Greneral Convention of the Baptist de- 
 .nomination in the United States" was then the 
 only organization in Ameiica by which the work 
 of foreign missions was carried on in this denom- 
 ination. Its operations, even at this period, how- 
 ever, were not extended. God had, indeed, richly 
 blessed the labors of Mr. Jndson and his coadju- 
 tore in the Bm-man mission, and every year bore 
 to our shores intelligence of new triumphs of the 
 Gospel. The sainted Boardman had just breathed 
 his last in the Kai-en jungle, after witnessing the 
 first large iogathering of tihat " people prepared 
 
140 MEMom OP 
 
 of the Lord," among whom sucli wonders of mercy 
 have since been wrought. Nine additional mis- 
 sionaries had just sailed, to join the devoted band 
 toiling amidst the pagodas of India. Every aspect 
 of the missions abroad gave occasion for thanks- 
 giving and hope. But at home the work moved 
 slowly. The total of contributions from aU parts 
 of the Union in 1832, was only sixteen thousand 
 five hundred and fifty-six dollars. Many of the 
 chm-ches which are now wealthy and eflicient, were 
 then struggling for existence ; many of this char- 
 acter, also, in the rapid growth of cities and states 
 have since been formed. Benevolent effort was 
 then, for the most part, unregulated by system, 
 and under the dictates of impulse only was liable 
 to great fluctuations. " The Macedonian," diffu- 
 sing missionary intelligence at a cost within the 
 means of all, did not then enter the family circle, 
 and act as a monthly monitor to a perishing world ; 
 nor was the religious newspaper so generally re- 
 garded as essential to a Christian home. Opposi- 
 tion to missionary effort was not imcommon, even 
 in the Middle and Eastern States, and in the "West 
 and Southwest lai'ge districts were infected with 
 the anti-mission spirit. 
 
 In aU this the last twenty years have witnessed 
 a vast change. Cheap periodicals, with cheap 
 
EEV. ALFRED BENaETT, 141 
 
 postage, and readier meaoa of inter-commTmica- 
 tion, liava diffused information, and prejudices 
 have gradually given place to enlightened views 
 of Christian duty. The press has been teeming 
 ■with pnhlications illustrating and enforcing the 
 great commission. The Sabbath-school has been 
 a nnrsery of missionary influence, and the thou- 
 sands continually issuing from its hallowed waEs 
 upon the arena of Chi-istian action, have entered 
 the Church educated for nyssionary effort. Chris- 
 tians generally have made much advance towards 
 an intelligent appreciation of responsibility re- 
 specting the evangelization of the world ; and 
 though still far, very far, from the elevation to 
 which they must rise before the Gospel shall be 
 universally published, the signs of upward prog- 
 ress are dear and hopeful. The contributions to 
 the treasury of the American. Baptist Missionary 
 Union, reported 1851, fell but little short of one 
 hundred thonsand dollars, nearly six times the 
 amount received in the whole countiy twenty 
 years aga 
 
 Among the human agencies employed in effect- 
 ing this auspicious change, no individual filled a 
 more useful place than the venerated man whose 
 life is hei-e delineated. From his resignation of 
 the pastoral office to the hour when his spirit en- 
 
142 MEMOIR OF 
 
 tered into the presence of the Master, the diffusion 
 of the pure spirit of missions was the ruling pas- 
 sion of his life. Though associated with various 
 other religious enterprises, to which he gave an 
 intelligent and earnest support, all the energies of 
 his vigorous mind were devoted directly or indi- 
 rectly to this one great end. It was in him a 
 principle, rising higher than the love of kindred, 
 causing him, with life already advanced, to for- 
 sake the comforts of home, and prosecute steadily 
 for many years a laborious and often thankless 
 mission, exposed to every variety of climate, and 
 every form of physical ill. He wi-ites, in a letter 
 addressed to his family, near the close of a long 
 and toilsome tour in the West, May 6, 1840 : 
 
 " Perhaps this will be the last copy of my feel- 
 ings you will receive before you have the original 
 in person ; for I begin to count upon the days, 
 much more than the miles, which separate us. 
 Sometime in June I devoutly hope to greet my 
 dear family again, and none tlie less dear because 
 I am long absent. If I am not a Chi-istian, the 
 deception is great. I believe I love my family as 
 well as ever, and desire their happiness as much • 
 but I can be sundered from them cheerfully to 
 promote the cause of the Lord Jesus Chi-ist in the 
 world. If this is not from love to the truth I am 
 
EEV. AUEED BENITEIT. 143 
 
 deceived, awfally deceived. It ia not affection 
 growing cold towards ray dear family, tnt desirea 
 increasing to extend the knowledge of the Lord, 
 laboring daily, and so much the more as we see 
 the day approaching." 
 
 It was with suqh views the servant of God en- 
 tered upon the new sphere to which Providence 
 called him. Love to Christ, love to souls, and 
 an ardent desire for the elevation of Christian 
 character in the chnrches, seemed to be the per 
 vading princij^iles of his life, while during many 
 years fulfilling bis high commission. No peen- 
 nJary inducement was offered, He was appointed 
 " at a salaiy of four hundi-ed dollars, including 
 his travelling expenses." K"o permanent agent 
 before him had been in the employ of the Board, 
 and the office was then new in the denomination. 
 He always regarded liiraself aa a pioneer; and 
 with him the detei-mination with which he en- 
 tered the work became a fixed principle through 
 life, to regard " the raisiug of money a secondary 
 matter, and make it his first concern to spread 
 information, and lay the fonndation of a steady 
 support of the enterpiise in future jetara" by awa- 
 kening an intelligent elevated miSBionary spirit in 
 the churches, and ^ving permanency and system 
 to henevolent action. 
 
IM MEMOEK OK 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 TOUES SOTJTH AND 'WEST. 
 
 His agency, during the first eight years, was 
 chiefly in the South and West, where he was a 
 pioneer in the advocacy of missions. He trav- 
 elled for the most part on horseback, exposed to 
 all the changes of the seasons, and amidst hard- 
 ships under which a frame less robust or a spirit 
 less resolute would have sunk. This period was 
 filled with incidents of deep and often thrilling in- 
 terest, Ulustrative of the providence of God and 
 of human character in its various phases ; but 
 they were left unrecorded, except on his memory, 
 and are now unknown, only as occasionally rela- 
 ted by him, in his own graphic manner, to the 
 friends with whom he was intimately conversant. 
 An outline of his tours, therefore, gathered most- 
 ly from lettere, is all which can here be pre- 
 sented. 
 
 Virginia was his first field, on which he entered 
 at the close of November, 1832. Setting out from 
 
KBT. ALFRED BENKETl'. 145 
 
 Kiclunond, he travelled more than nine litmdred 
 
 miles on horseback, visiting niimerouB chlirdiea, 
 and everywhere awakening a deep interest in the 
 cause of missions. Though euccessful beyond ex- 
 pectation, he says, " ily chief consolation, after 
 all, has arisen from the enjoyment of God in my 
 own BOTol, I have rarely felt snch a comfortable 
 flow of feeKng in preaching the Gospel of Christ, 
 for so long a time together, as I have enjoyed for 
 some weeks past. Whether the hearers were few 
 or many, it was no embarraB^nent. I felt a 
 pleasure in spreading ont before them the wretch- 
 ed condition of the world, the unspeakable glory, 
 fulneBB, and adaptation of the Gospel, under the 
 influence of the Holy Ghost, to change the heart 
 and elevate the affections to God, in whom there 
 is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand there 
 are pleasures for evermore ; — and then affection- 
 ately inviting them to co-operate in the work of 
 sending this blessed Gospel to every creature." - 
 
 When he was about to leave the State, the 
 brethren sent earnest letters to the Executive 
 Board, importnning them to permit his continu- 
 ance there ; and if this could not be granted, that 
 he might return a few months, or even weeks, the 
 succeeding winter. At the close of this tour, we 
 find the following memorandum : 
 13 
 
146 MEMOIR OF 
 
 '■'■ Ma/rch 18. — Arrived at Homer after an ab- 
 sence of four months, in which I have enjoyed 
 good health, travelled in all over twenty-five hun- 
 dred miles, and collected for the Foreign Mission 
 one thousand two hundred and seventy-one dol- 
 lars, besides various articles of jewelry." 
 
 The amount collected was not, indeed, large ; 
 but at that time it was deemed an indication of 
 unusual success, especially in a field comparative- 
 ly new, where no organized system of benevolence 
 had then been "formed. 
 
 After spending the summer in New Jersey and 
 New England, he was occupied the following win- 
 ter at the "West, in the States of Indiana, Ken- 
 tucky, and Ohio, laboring with earnest zeal, but 
 not with the same immediate success as in Yir- 
 ginia. Much opposition encountered him from 
 the anti-mission spirit, which was at that time rife 
 in those sections of the country. In reference to 
 this he remarked : " I intend to be kind, affec- 
 tionate, and faithful, explaining the subject ac- 
 cording to the Scriptui-es, and keeping a con- 
 science void of offence towards God and the peo- 
 ple : then I wiU abide the consequences." In 
 Kentucky, while travelling, he was suddenly at- 
 tacked with severe illness, occasioned by expo- 
 sure, and for a time seemed in imminent peril of 
 
EBV. ALFRED BENMBTT, 147 
 
 his life ; but it pleased the Lord to raise him up 
 again. The MndneSB experienced in a land of 
 strangers much affected bira. " During my sick- 
 nesB at EHzabethtown," he writes, "I felt peculiar 
 peace of mind and confidence in God. I knew 
 He woTild do right. I felt quiet in His hand. I 
 think, in reviewing the diBpensation, I am much 
 quickened in prayer, and desirous that I may not 
 live in vain. God has heard prayer, and given 
 me favor in the sight of the people of the land. 
 The physicians were very attentive, and would 
 charge nothing; they said it was their highest 
 pleasure to render me aid. ITeither of 'them pro- 
 fesses religion. I could not have been in a kinder, 
 family than that of brother H. .Himself and wife 
 and children, servants, and every thing, were de- 
 voted to my service, and every effort made to ren- 
 der me comfortable by night and by day. All 
 this, too, was gratuitous ; they seemed to exalt in 
 the idea of being counted worthy to wait upon 
 one of the servants of their Lord. AH things 
 work together for good to those who are the caU- 
 ,ed accordiag to God's purpose, and sincerely love 
 Him, And may I hope that He wiU put me 
 among His children ? I have.always been fearful 
 about my adoption ; yet, as I find such abundant 
 ptoofe of His kindness towards me, -I am enconr- 
 
148 MEMOIR OF 
 
 aged to hope that, when the storms of life are 
 over, I may be allowed rest in heaven, where Je- 
 sus is, and where the saints shall be ever with 
 Him." 
 
 After this visitation of sickness, he continued 
 his labors in Kentucky, returning to Homer in 
 the spring, by way of Ohio. Of this tour, he 
 writes to Eev. Alvin Bennett, June 29, 1834 : 
 
 " My journey was prosperous, and I hope prof- 
 itable, both to the people among whom I trav- 
 elled and to the cause generally, especially in 
 stirring up a spirit of benevolence in the churches 
 of the Far "West, so that they will be more en- 
 gaged hereafter in thinking, feeling, praying, and 
 acting for the benefit of the world. How hard it 
 is for us to realize that the fidd is the world, to 
 act with reference to the good of all mankind, 
 and to live with a regard to the whole extent of our 
 ieing! I was absent about eight months, trav- 
 elled about three thousand miles, chiefly with my 
 own team, preached two hundred times, besides 
 a considerable amount of other labor, and col- 
 lected one thousand dollars for the Foreiern Mis- 
 sions. The getting of money, however, was re- 
 garded as a matter^ of very little account in com- 
 parison with other objects, such as the removal of 
 prejudices and the diflPusion of information, to 
 
BENKErr, 149 
 
 correct and settle public opimon in favor of the 
 noble enterprise of giving the Gospel to every 
 creature. Prejudice among many is deep rooted, 
 requiring much labor to Bubdne it." 
 
 "When a few weela of repose had been enjoyed 
 with his frienck, he again set oat for the West. 
 Mrs. Bennett accompanied him as far as Eoches- 
 ter, whence, he remarta in a memorandiun, "I 
 was destined to go on alone towards lie ' Far 
 West,' with all the feelings that solitude, a eickly 
 season, and occasional remains of cholera could 
 produce within. But 6od is tn/y strength, loh&m 
 should I few f God is the support of my life, of 
 what shall I be afraid^ Believing Christ will 
 sustain me, as long as he has aught for me to do 
 in advancing TTih kingdom, I cheerfully venture 
 forward, relying on Him," Though the cholera 
 was making fearful ravages in many places around 
 him, this tenible scourge did not deter hiin from 
 his work. He felt that the heathen sdll needed 
 the Gospel, 'and demanded unremitting effort to 
 send the messengers of salvation to them. Wri- 
 ting to Dr. Bolles, from Cleveland, he says : " My 
 health is yet good. I feel it my duty to confide 
 all to the care of the Chief Shepherd of Israel, 
 and do what I can to benefit a sinning, dying 
 VTorld by the ministration of the glorwm Gos^ 
 13* 
 
150 MEMOIE OF 
 
 of the Uessed God. The prospect for my work ia 
 this coimtry is good, excepting tlie embarrassment 
 occasioned by the cholera. This is the engrossing 
 subject of conversation. At this moment a man 
 has come in from Detroit, and reports that deaths" 
 occur there from twenty to thirty per day. They 
 average here perhaps five or six. May the love 
 of God be shed abroad more abundantly in my 
 heart, aftd increase the exercise of all the graces 
 of the Holy Spirit, that, whether I live or die, I 
 may be the Lord's." 
 
 An affecting appeal respecting the welfare of 
 the soul, addressed to two of his sons, dated Mont- 
 gomery Co., Tenn., Jan. 1, 1835, belongs to this 
 period. After speaking of the nature and enormi- 
 ty of sin, he adds : 
 
 " "Will you longer neglect the great salvation ? 
 Will you resist the Holy Spii-it's influences, and 
 despise Chfist, the adorable Saviour, who died to 
 pardon and lives to bless ? Eemember, my sons, 
 it is not alone the sins of past life that now makes 
 you unhappy, though seventeen years have been 
 spent by you in sin, which is an awful fact. Sev- 
 enteen years spent in open rebellion against God 
 exposed continually to his eternal vengeance! 
 Yet even all the guilt contracted durino- that 
 time, though you have sinned under most Iggrar 
 
EEV. AtFEED BEKHETT. 151 
 
 vating circumstances, wotild be pardoned in a 
 moment, if your hearts were nght now. It ia 
 preeent impenitence and nnbelief that keeps the 
 soul from Gkid. My dea/r childi-eu, I beseech you, 
 think o;n these things, and receive the Loi-d Jesus 
 Christ. ' Keceive Him oordidH/y^ that jon may 
 live, and live forever in heaven. 
 
 " Ton ■will escuse a father who loves you, and 
 loves you none the less for being more than a 
 thousand miles from yon at this moment, for wri- 
 ting thus earnestly to you. Indeed, yon could 
 hardly forgive me, if I did not deal MthfnUy with 
 your souls, while I am depriving myself of all 
 domestic happiness for the benefit of the Bouls of 
 others. 
 
 " I was only a little more than seventeen years 
 old vrben, I trust, my wicked heart was broken 
 before God for sin; the Savioui- appeared to my 
 soul the one altogether lovely, and I felt it my 
 highest honor to serve Him. And I may say to 
 you to-day, that all the trouble I have had since 
 has grown out of my. unlikeness to Him. When 
 I enjoy His love, I am happy. The trials of life I 
 can then bear with patience, and" feel a pleasure 
 in the toilsome labors of the Gospel, even in a 
 land of strangers, when I can say, Ihmvi that my 
 Redtemer Ivo^h.^^ 
 
162 MEMOIR OF 
 
 He continued his labors in the West, through 
 Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, until 
 April, when he attended the General Convention 
 in its triennial session, held at Kichmond, Va. 
 In the report rendered to this body respecting his 
 service for two years and five months, we find the 
 following paragraphs : 
 
 " During this time efforts have been put forth 
 in many large and important assemblies, such as 
 the ' Convention of Western Baptists,' State Con- 
 ventions, and anniversaries of societies for spread- 
 ing the Gospel at home and abroad. More than 
 six hundred sermons have been delivered, while 
 in performing tbis labor he has travelled over ten 
 thousand miles, and a large portion of this on 
 horseback. 
 
 " In conclusion, the sufferings, exposures, and 
 labors, with the sacrifices made of personal ease, 
 domestic cotnfort, and social enjoyment, have 
 been more than made up in the soul by the enjoy- 
 ment of the Divine favor, the sweet, peace-perva- 
 ding spirit of the Gospel, the friendship of the 
 pious and prayerful with whom acquaintance has 
 been formed, the conviction of pereonal useful- 
 ness in the Gospel, and the hope of instrumentally 
 spreading it abundantly in all the earth ; and 
 above all, from the persuasion, in view of the 
 
KEV. AT.T!T?liT> BBmrETT. 153 
 
 propieciea and commandments of God onr Samour, 
 that Sis will was done." 
 
 At the close of the session of the Convention, 
 he permitted himself a brief period of rest, when 
 he made another tour through ZEinois, Tennessee, 
 and other States, where he met with much suc- 
 cess. The collection of money, however, was not 
 the primary object in !Mr. 'Bennett's "Western 
 agency. A false Calvinism was extensively prev- 
 alent in the churches, producing much opposition 
 to Christian exertion for the salvation of sinners, 
 whether at home or aliroad. It paralyzed the 
 active power of religion. A proper understand- 
 ing of his neefulneas there will require, at this 
 point, a more fall view of that spirit than has 
 been before given. He thus writes to the secre- 
 tary. Dr. Eolles, from Alabama, February 22, 
 1836: 
 
 "That you may have some idea of the moral at- 
 mosphere which I am compelled to breathe, I will 
 begin by quoting verbatim from the minutes of the 
 Eichland Creek Association, the following pream- 
 ble and resolution : 
 
 " ' Whereas this Association views with pain 
 and Christian abhorrence the rise, the progi-ess, 
 and deleterious -effects of various societal, or 
 combinations of men, claiming the specious and 
 
154 MEMOIR 01" 
 
 flattering names of benevolence and humanity, 
 such a8 the Missionary and Abolition Societies, 
 and many others actuated by the same spirit, the 
 work of which combinations we believe to be sub- 
 versive of aU good order, peace, and quiet of 
 both civil and political, as well as religious so- 
 ciety : 
 
 " ' Be it, therefore, resolved by this Association 
 unanimously, that we hereby declare to all men 
 our sincere, undeviating, and decided opposition 
 to all and every such society, whose ways and 
 works are wasting and destroying the happiness 
 of society in every part of our otherwise happy 
 country ; and we sincerely desire our brethren at 
 large, and particularly advise the churches we 
 represent, to hold aU such societies in utter detest- 
 ation and at a distance ; and further, we advise 
 that the chm-ches uncompromisingly use the dis- 
 cipline of the Gospel on all and every of their 
 members who may be known in any way to coun- 
 tenance such unscriptural and disorganizing socie- 
 ties or combinations.' The above passed the As- 
 sociation September, 1835." 
 
 This was not a solitary instance. Many were 
 the religious bodies in which similar sentiments 
 were avowed. Antinomianism, which has since 
 much declined, from lack of essential vitality, was 
 
155 
 
 then at the zenith of its power in the Southwest. 
 Immense mtmbers of profeBsing ChriBtiana were 
 involved in this error, among whom were some 
 men possessing great excellencies of character, 
 and swaying an extensive iniuence. From a 
 memorandum made at this time, a still more 
 definite statement of these pernicious views is 
 taken: 
 
 "I spent twenty-four hours with Rev. A. H., a 
 chief man in the Association, and found him im- 
 pressed with the conviction that the commission 
 to preach the Gospel to every creature was ful- 
 filled by the Apostles, and is now binding only as 
 it req^uires pastors to feed the flock ; that the Gos- 
 pel is not a means of salvation to the impenitent, 
 for the heathen may be saved without it (for which 
 he quotes Komans ii. 14, These, hamng not th& 
 Imo, m-6 a la/w unto themsel/ves, etc.) ; that no proof 
 is found in the Bible that religion has any thing 
 to do with money, and those who receive it come 
 more or less under the idea of hirelings. These 
 views are connected in his mind with the opinion 
 that all the efforts of the Church are unauthorized 
 in Scripture, and have been introduced within 
 fifty yeai's, since which the Church has gone back 
 and become degenerate, and saints are not as 
 numerous now as in the days of persecution and 
 
156 MEMOnt OF 
 
 darkness in the valleys of Piedmont : for the devil 
 has turned Christian. "With these vifews he asso- 
 ciates an humble, conscientious spirit, and seems 
 much distressed that good men should be so bliaded 
 as he deems them to be." 
 
 "Effort" and "Anti-effort" were the distinctive 
 badges of religious parties in the South and West, 
 producing freq^uent divisions of churches and 
 associations, with much contention and violence. 
 Many of the churches were closed against him in 
 his earlier tours, and much misrepresentation and 
 personal abuse were met. One instance among 
 many is thus related : " On Lord's day an effort 
 
 was made by Eev. , with two other brethren, 
 
 to prevent my preaching, because I was a mission- 
 ary man. More than an hour was spent in debat- 
 ing the subject with those who took my part, while 
 most of the congregation were in the open air and 
 cold, rambling about, and no acts of worship were 
 performed until after one o'clock, p. m. "When 
 another person had preached, an appeal was made 
 by a friendly minister to the assembly, who, with 
 the exception of about three, voted to have me 
 address them." When he was excluded from the 
 ordinary house of worship, such was his reputation, 
 the citizens would frequently throw open to him 
 the court-house, or other public building in the 
 
BET. AT.irifTim BENHBTT. 1S7 
 
 place, wliere, by his eminently Oliristiaii spirit, 
 lucid statement of facts, and fervid appeals for 
 Christ and a perishing world, he would put to 
 shame the opposition ; and (to use an espresBion 
 then common in describing bis efforts) be " took 
 away the doors, posts, bars, and ail from the 
 enemy's citadel," 
 
 For this work Mr. Bennett possessed peculiar 
 adaptation. His soul was glowing ■vfith misaion- 
 ary ardor. His acc[uaintance with the Scriptures 
 was intimate and practical, Hia mental resources 
 were always at ready command, and an apt Scrip- 
 ture quotation, or a well-turned reply, often covered 
 an objector with no small confnsion. To this was 
 added a holy earnestness and benignity of man- 
 ner, which at once impressed and attracted the 
 hearts of his opposers. His services were eagerly 
 sought by active Christians everywhere, as con- 
 ducing to a deeper tone of spirituality in the 
 churches, and a more just sense of responsibility 
 respecting a lost world. Kev. Dr. Howell, fben of 
 Nashville, Tenn., thus wrote to bim in rfefefence 
 to these labors ; 
 
 "I am delighted to hear that you will probably 
 
 be at the next meeting of our State convention. 
 
 Be assured, should tbe Lord iavor ub bo much as 
 
 to direct your way to us at that time, we shall feel 
 
 14 
 
158 MEMOm OF 
 
 grateful to Him, and receive you with open hearts 
 and hands. I think you ought to labor much in 
 the West, especially in the Southwest. Tour col- 
 lections for the good cause in Burmah may not be 
 quite so large, but the deficit wiU be more than 
 made up to the cause we love, by the good you 
 will do us." 
 
 God has associated the work of foreign missions 
 with the highest prosperity of the churches in 
 the home field. The auspicious change which has 
 been passing over the spiritual character of many 
 of the churches in the Southwest, though attribu- 
 table to no single agency, is largely a result of Mr. 
 Bennett's labors. The striking views he presented 
 of the great commission, the stirring appeals he 
 made in behalf of the heathen world, the exposi- 
 tions he gave of the purpose of the Gospel, as in- 
 dicated in the prophecies and in the teachings of 
 Christ — illustrated and enforced, as the whole was, 
 by his Christian temper, his earnest zeal, and his 
 life of irreproachable godliness — ^gave anew direc- 
 tion to Christian thought, and awoke in the hearts 
 of thousands the more active impulses of religious 
 character. The compassion awakened among Chris- 
 tians for the distant heathen, and the obligation 
 distinctly presented to send them the Gospel, in 
 turn awoke an interest in the perishing condition 
 
EEV. AJ.FRKD BENNFTT. 159 
 
 of the imgodly arotmd them ; and the fears of pity- 
 falling over the miseries of a. lost world, were often 
 the precm-Bors of a refreshing from the presence of 
 the Spirit of God, and the blessed ingathering of 
 a revival. 
 
 An extract from a letter written at Lawrence- 
 turgh, Ind., at this period, addressed to his son, 
 Dolphas Bennett, in which he notes some valuable 
 thoughts in Sidney's "Life of Eowland Hill," will 
 he here read with interest. 
 
 " In coming down the Ohio I read "Wm, Sidney's 
 'Life of Rowland Hill.' The demotion, zeal, and 
 activity of Mr. Hill are worthy of imitation : every 
 good man will find his own heart sh-engthened by 
 such an example. There were a few choice sen- 
 tences which I marked, and some of them I will 
 mention. ' If yon wish to gain a character as 
 a minister of the word of life, you most first lose 
 it entirely in the esteem of the world, and then 
 gain it by your upright and holy zeal, by your 
 complete deadness to the world, that you may 
 give yourself wholly to the work of the ministry, 
 and spend and be spent in the sacred cause. Half- 
 way work is odions in every profession, but in the 
 work of God most abominable: such as honor- 
 Christ shall be honored of Him, Ton have suf- 
 ficient knowledge of the Gospel to know that it is 
 
160 MEMOm OF 
 
 a glorious Gospel, wliile the thin, meager religion 
 of the world is beneath contempt.' Again, ' The 
 messenger of the Gospel becomes the truest patriot, 
 when he is most diligently employed in winning 
 his feUow-countrymen to the religion of Jesus 
 Christ, whose precepts obeyed from the heart are 
 the firmest pillars of the social system, and the 
 surest antidote to anarchy or misrule.' 
 
 " Mr. HUl felt his dependence much, as every 
 good man will, upon the Holy Spirit's influence in 
 the ministrations of the Gospel. ' There is some- 
 thing,' says he, ' in preaching the Gospel with the 
 Holy Spirit sent down from heaven, which I long 
 to get at. The nearer we live to God, the better 
 we are enabled to serve Him. Oh how I hate my 
 own noise when I have nothing to make a noise 
 about ! Heavenly wisdom creates heavenly utter- 
 ance.' He said he liked Dr. Eyland's advice to his 
 pupils : Mmd, no sermon is of any vaVae, or Wkdy 
 to ie useful, which has not the three H's in it : 
 Euin Jn/ the fall; Bedemption ly Christ ; Be- 
 generaUon ly the Holy Spirit. A minister hav- 
 ing observed to him that, notwithstanding the fault 
 found with his dry sermons, there were stiU hopes 
 of their usefulness, for Samson had slain the Phil- 
 istines with the jaw-bone of an ass — ' Ti-ue ' he 
 replied, ' but it was a inoist jaw-bone.' Mr. Sid- 
 
BEV. ALEKED BBNNEOn. 161 
 
 ney nttera a good sentiment on doctrinal contro- 
 versy : ' Let Calvinist and Arminian join in one 
 common acknowledgment that they never Bhonld 
 have Bought God by nature, had he not first Bonght 
 them by grace — that the only way to eternal life 
 iH through the all-sufficient atonement of a dying 
 Saviour, and the only evidence of oui" interest in His 
 blood is a heart sanctified by His Spirit and dedi- 
 cated to His glory.' 
 
 ■"But, my dear son, while we are looHng at 
 other men, desiring to copy their vwtues, how much 
 need we have of great grace to overcome oiu' owwi 
 mces ! To elevate our own habits of thin king, feel- 
 ing, acting, that we may eontiniially be assimi- 
 lating to the likeness of Christ, is of vast moment 
 for nsefnlnraa in the church or in the world." 
 
 A letter from him in Kentucky, 1836, addressed 
 to his nephew, Asa Bennett,* whose heart was then 
 turning towards the ministry of the Gospel among 
 the heatben, is in part here inserted : reference is 
 
 * TMs exceHeut young man, after pnrBuiug a courae of atndy at 
 tbe Hamilton Literary and Theological LiBtituUon, witt refer- 
 ence to tlie mlBsionary work in Burmali, fell a victim to cnn- 
 sumption Tjefore entering his contemplated field. His doati ivas 
 in tlie calm assured hope of Cliriat; it is yet profoundly felt in a 
 large drde, who appreciated tlie Tirtnes which adorned Ma chat- 
 
162 MEMOrK OF 
 
 also made to his niece, a young lady of mucli 
 promise, who was wasting in consumption. 
 
 " It distresses me much to hear of C.'s state of 
 health ; but as God has ordered it, all is right, and 
 we should submit. Youth, beauty, intelligence, 
 activity, and hope are cut down and wasted in her. 
 This must be another great affliction to the dear 
 family, who have already suffered so much from 
 the same disease. The Saviour said. What I do 
 thou Tcnowest not now ; hut thou ahalt Jcnow herer 
 after. Draw near to God ; cast all your care upon 
 Him, for He ca/rethfor you. Let this be your con- 
 solation. Should C. be yet alive, teU her my 
 heart's desire and prayer to God for her is, that 
 she may be saved. The blessed Saviour died for 
 sinners ; tell her to look to Earn, to cast herself at 
 His feet, and say, Lord.^ save, or I perish. It is 
 safe trusting in His grace, and His power to save 
 is infinite. May she .shine before the throne of 
 God, with her parents, and brothers, and sisters, 
 and with all the saints. 
 
 " You speak of trials in relation to the ministry 
 in heathen lands. I would say, pray much, and 
 examine your heart carefully. To labor for Gt)d 
 anywhere is an honor, and to be sent by him to 
 teach the Gentiles is a distinguished honor but a 
 very difficult task. I know not why you may not 
 
EEV. iLFEED BENHETT. 163 
 
 be called to sei'vo God as a missionary, but oS 
 who tbiok they are called to that work shonld be 
 cai'eful to loiow that the call is of Grod. The mis- 
 sionary is like a man upon the top of a mount- 
 ain, in the view of all the world, -with the eye of 
 God and th%enmity of devils directed towards 
 him. He occupies one of the most responsible 
 places in the universe : if he succeed not, it will 
 be a great defeat ; but if he does, it will be a great 
 honor. In view of all this, bow important it is 
 that a man should know himself, his w/most sdf, 
 touching all the motives and desires of bis heart, 
 that be may be thoroughly accLuainted with the 
 principles which stimulate him to action, and an- 
 derstandingly decide upon his coui-se! for, not 
 only his own happiness ie involved in the decision, 
 but the well-being of many others, upon whom bis 
 course will have influence." 
 
 The views Mr. Bennett took of his work were 
 eminently spiritual, and throughout his official 
 communications the pervading tone is that of 
 bumble reliance upon God. He thus concludes a 
 report of his labora, February 22, 1837, for the 
 winter just closing : "The ministration of the 
 Gospel among the people almost daily, the infor- 
 mation spread over a wide extent of country, 
 which will do good in future, together with the 
 
164 MEMOIE OF 
 
 moral and religious influence set in motion in the 
 denomination, have more than compensated for all 
 the toil, fatigue, privation, and danger encountered 
 in making this laborious tour.. It becomes me 
 also to acknowledge the goodness of God all the 
 way, and his special mercy, in man;f instances, in 
 preserving my life, limbs, and health amidst ex- 
 posures from high waters, bad roads, dangerous 
 ice, inclement seasons, and bewilderment in dreary 
 forests and prairies. Eut most of all are my thanks 
 due to God for the light of His coimtenance, the 
 influences of Sis Spirit, and the supports of His 
 grace in the discharge of the important duty as- 
 signed me." 
 
 Many instances occurred, during his tom-s, of re- 
 markable providential preservation, in which he 
 could clearly see the hand of God. On his way 
 from Erie, Penn., to Cleveland, Ohio, a journey 
 which it was then necessary to perform by stage, 
 the coach was twice ovei-set in one night, occa- 
 sioned, in both instances, by the driver's intem- 
 perance and culpable ignorance of the way. In 
 the last instance, the horses were in rapid mo- 
 tion, descending a dangerous hill, and the force 
 with which the coach struck the ground was such 
 as to cause it to slide some distance on the 
 ground after being overset. He was sitting on the 
 
vxrL'JT. 105 
 
 forward seat, having only the curtain hetween him 
 and the eai-th, and that was badly torn in the con- 
 cussion. 
 
 The labor and exposures of this winter, however, 
 proved too severe for him. Always nnwilling to 
 faQ in his appoiutmenta, a hoarseness, contracted in 
 this inclement season, finally induced what seemed 
 to be a eei-ious affection of the lungs. Weakness 
 at length compelled him to relinq^uish all effort for 
 several weeks, and apprehensions were felt that 
 it might terminate his life. But he so far recov- 
 ered as to reach Pittsburg, whence he wrote : 
 " Although this sickness is to me a sore calamity, 
 and falls heavily on the mission cause, yet it has 
 not been lost upon me. My heart has been mncli 
 stirred up, instructed, and humbled, all which it 
 gi-eatly needed. Sweet and interesting views of a 
 Saviom- have cheered me, and caused me to hope 
 that even so vile a wretch as I may yet be holy as 
 God, is holy. That is thestaudard of moral excel- 
 lence to which all must come who enter heaven. 
 .Hence the value of a Saviour's merits, the pre- 
 ciousness of His atoning blood, the priceless worth 
 of His imputed righteonsness, and the importance 
 of His Spirit dwelling within us, to quicken the 
 affections, stfengthen and direct the desires in 
 prayer, and comfort and sanctify the whole ^oul,"' 
 
166 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Though he did not entirely recover his wonted 
 health until the close of summer, the intermediate 
 time was spent in active exertion, chiefly in cen- 
 tral New York. Autumn found him again in the 
 West, passing through Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, 
 Indiana, and Illinois, " addressing both churches 
 and individuals on the claims of missions, and, 
 whenever practicable, attending public meetings 
 of conventions and other religious bodies." The 
 condition of the field had greatly changed since 
 he first entered it. Opposition had in many places 
 entirely ceased, and where he was driven away, 
 or coldly received, in earlier years, the people 
 now met him gladly. He wrote from Elinois : 
 " The ministering brethren are now favorable, at 
 least such as have infiuence with the people, and 
 there are revivals in many of the churches, or 
 have lately been, which gives things an entirely 
 new' aspect. In no year since the commencement 
 of my agency, have I seen so much evidence of 
 strong, united, and deep-toned religious feeling, 
 putting itself forth in benevolent effort, as in this : 
 in view of which I would thank God, devoutly 
 hoping the signs of the times will brighten, until 
 the whole earth is filled with the knowledge of 
 the Lord." 
 
 On returning fi-om the West, his time was occu- 
 
KEV, ALFEED BENNETT. 167 
 
 pied chiefly in the interior of the State of l^ew 
 York and in Connecticut, addi'easing the chnrchea 
 ■with his usual success, until September, 1839. 
 He then returned westward, and from Sprmgfield, 
 nimois, thus writes Dr. Bolles, Sept. 26 : 
 
 " In' dating my letter, I am forcibly reminded 
 of the flight of time, aod the brevity of human 
 life. This day commences my sixtieth year on 
 earth. Fifty-nine years' time have been allotted 
 me in the world, forty-one and a half of- them 
 have passed since I acknowledged allegiance to 
 the Lord Jesus Christ as King, and nearly thirty- 
 five since engaging in the ministry. How much 
 ought I to have known by this time under sneh a 
 Teacher 1 How much ought I to have done in 
 obedience to Buch a King ! How much more I 
 might Tuno be able to do, had I always been what 
 Christ req^uired me to he ! How much is lost by 
 sin ! Sui ihmiks te to God, there is perfedAtm, m 
 prospect, through the Hood of the Lamb. Oh, my 
 soul, praise Him I therefore praise Him ! praise 
 the great Redeemer's name 1" 
 
 "While absent upon this tour, he received intel- 
 ligence of the illness of his son, Cephas Bennett, 
 in Burmah, and the intended return of that ex- 
 cellent missionary to this countiy for & season, 
 seeking restoration. To this he replied : " The 
 
168 MEMOIE OF 
 
 loss of my son's health, and his consequent re- 
 turn, is grievous to my heart; yet I hope God 
 will be glorified in him, whether it be by life or 
 death. I should be happy to see my children, but 
 more happy to 7b6(m- they were turning the heathen 
 to God from dumb idols, and laboring successfully 
 in health, as the instruments of God in gathering 
 in His elect." And when, early in 18,4:0, his son 
 reached this country, the father, who was laboring 
 in Kentucky, could not be induced to hasten his 
 return, remarking, " It would give me great sat- 
 isfaction to come home and enjoy the pleasures of 
 domestic life with my dear family, but the cause 
 here demands my attention." The interests of 
 the Eedeemer's kingdom seemed to surpass in his 
 view the claims of all earthly objects ; and though 
 possessing a heart glowing with the wai-mest nat- 
 ural affection, love to Christ burned there with 
 yet higher intensity. 
 
EEV. ALE^EED BEHHEIT. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 TOTIES BAST AHD WE 
 
 To follow the venerated man, of whose life the 
 memorialB are here gathered, throngh aU the de- 
 tails of hia numerous tours, would swell this vol- ' 
 ume beyond its appropriate limit. Nor is it need- 
 ful. The purpose of a biography is to give a 
 picture of the man, which is often more fitly done 
 by a few characteristic incidents than by crowded 
 circumstantial detail. 
 
 The later years of his life were employed chief- 
 ly in New Tort and the adjacent States, thongh a 
 few months of each year were commonly spent in 
 the West. Much importance was attached to his 
 annual visit to that region. A multitude of new 
 churches were springing up amidst the rapidly 
 growing communities there. The worldly thrift 
 and enterprise, so characteristic of the West, and 
 often so disastrous to the vitality and purity of the 
 churches,re<iuired the influence of those elevating, 
 ennobling- views associated with giving the Grospel 
 to the world. A missionary spirit needed to be 
 15 
 
170 MEMOnS OF 
 
 early infused, and a system of benevolent contri- 
 bution established. This was the peculiar mission 
 of Mr. Bennett. His success is not to be meas- 
 ured by the amount of funds collected. His was 
 a work of faith : he laid the foundations of mis- 
 sionary effort, on which others are rearing the su- 
 perstructure. God by him opened springs of be- 
 nevolence in the western chm'ches, whose streams, 
 at first small, but ever widening and ' deepening, 
 will ultimately bear far and wide over the earth 
 the peace and gladness of the Gospel. 
 
 The summer of 1840, with the winter succeed- 
 ing, he passed in his agency in the Middle and 
 Eastern States, inspiring, as usual, interest every- 
 where in the missionary work by his heart-stirring 
 appeals. On some of the tours of this period, 
 he was accompanied by Eer. Cephas Bennett, 
 whom he was permitted to greet again, after an 
 absence of more than ten yeai-s among the hea- 
 then in Burmah. After attending the triennial 
 session of the Convention at Baltimore, April, 
 1841, he passed over the mountains to meet with 
 several important public bodies in Ohio and Ken- 
 tucky. From the latter State he thus writes Dr. 
 Peck, secretary of the Board : " Very little has 
 been collected for foreign missions the year past, 
 especially beyond Ohio, and from the scarcity of 
 
EET. ALFRED BEHNETT. 171 
 
 money I fear little will be done for tlie year to 
 come. I made three attempts at collection in L, : 
 one in the first church, one in the convention, and 
 one in the colored church. The last was thirfy- 
 two dollars, and more than both the othera. At 
 the dose of the sermon in the colored Gtrarch, 
 "Rev. Mr. A., their pastor, himself a colored man, 
 after making some excellent remarks, concluded 
 by saying : ' "When we have had our monthly 
 concerts, I have noticed there was often a groan 
 of appi-obatioQ over the bouse, as desire was ex- 
 pressed for particular things, especially when the 
 heathen were mentioned ; and now I want you to 
 come forward and lay down your money, or I 
 shall think you did not groan honestly,'' Per- 
 haps," continues Mr. Bennett, "there are some 
 white people who will need to groan again, or pay 
 more money before all will be done right. But 
 we will bless God for His mercy hitherto received, 
 and devoutly pray for greatei' displays of Hia 
 power." 
 
 Great agitation respecting the institution of ala^ 
 very existed at this time in the churches, both 
 North and South. While some of the former re- 
 garded the Board of Miasions with distrust, charg- 
 ing them as the abettors of slavery, and clamor- 
 ously demanded a distinct denunciation of that 
 
172 MEMOIE OF 
 
 infititution, and an entire separation from the 
 southern churches ; many in the latter were de- 
 nouncing the Board as ultra-abolition, and requir- 
 ing some definite statement or act which would 
 identify them officially with that obnoxious institu- 
 tion. Public religious gatherings in all parts of the 
 country were filled with exciting discussions upon 
 this subject, and agitators, on either side, were 
 passing among the churches, stii'ring up a spirit 
 of opposition. Collections were much impeded, 
 as many forgot, in the wild excitement, their obli- 
 gations to give the Gospel to the heathen. It re- 
 quired much watchfulness and wisdom, in these 
 cu'cumstances, to keep steadily before Christians 
 the claims of a perishing world ; and in the midst 
 of frequent and violent opposition, to mingle pa- 
 tience and gentleness with that firmness which the 
 crisis demanded. The infiuence of Mr. Bennett 
 at this period was of great value. Ever kind 
 and conciliatory, though uncompromising where 
 he thought the truth at stake, his coimsels often 
 calmed the agitation, and directed the eye from 
 sectional jealousies and lower interests to the one 
 great object, around which he would concentrate 
 the energies of the people of God. The venera- 
 tion universally felt for his piety, the holy fervor 
 with which he plead for the heathen, as well as 
 
KEY. AT.TTBir.n BENNETT. 173 
 
 the ■wisdom of his courEe, contributed much to - 
 the preservation of the mJBsionary interest during 
 that stormy period, until the final separation of 
 the northern and southern churches in their mis- 
 sionary opei'ations, in 1845, restored some degree 
 of trancLuillity. 
 
 The summer of 1841, as well as the winter fol- 
 lowing, he employed mostly in the State of New 
 York. It was, however, a time'of great pecnniary 
 emhairassment, which, conspiring with the above- 
 mentioned occasion of dissension, caused an unu- 
 snal falling off in the amoimt contributed. Of 
 this he wrote to Dr. Bolles, from Eochester, Feb. 
 6, 1843, just before that excellent man was com- 
 pelled by enfeebled health to relinquish his post, 
 BO long and honorably filled, as secretary of the 
 Board: 
 
 " I had anticipated sending from this place nearly 
 fifteen hundred dollars, but shall fail. The cause, 
 however, will not fail. God, the eoer-'blessed God^ 
 will accomplish His purposes of mercy among the 
 heathen, and when we have done all we ccm, we have 
 done our duty, I told the brethren at the Monroe 
 Association, it was folly to complain of hard times. 
 It was not BO in Christ's kingdom : the times wei-e 
 easy there. The pressure was in another king- 
 dom, and because they had put their money in 
 15* 
 
174: MEMOIK OF 
 
 the wrong place. No one in the country had put 
 his money into the Lord's treasury, and failed on 
 that account. In all the States through which I 
 had passed, and among the thousand bankruptcies 
 ■which had occurred, and among them hundreds 
 of church members — among all, not one could be 
 found who attributed his ruin to his giving in the 
 cause of God. No — ^it was putting his funds in 
 the wrong place, where the blessing of God could 
 not rest upon it. 
 
 " Our hope is in the Lord, and may His Spirit 
 and presence be with the Board and its officers. 
 May their feet be guided in wisdom, atid the 
 work of their hands established. Our national 
 councils seem to be distracted ; still the cause of 
 God in the earth will prosper to its consumma- 
 tion. This is cheering. Ood is a refuge for us. 
 And ilessed he His glorious name forever^ and 
 let the whole earth he filled with Sis glory P 
 
 His steps were again directed westward in the 
 following autumn, visiting Ohio, Michigan, and 
 Kentucky. From MaysvUle, Ky., he thus ad- 
 dresses Mi'S. Bennett, under date of Dec. 10, 
 .1842 : 
 
 " This is dedicated to you, as the companion of 
 my life. Forty years last month we engaged to 
 each other, to suffer and enjoy in union, amidst 
 
EEV. AtFEED BENHBTT. 175 
 
 the changes which Bhould come over Tie. Our 
 hope was in God, and we have not been disap- 
 pointed ; for God has been feithfu], and His hand 
 has helped ns at all times. Eis promises have 
 been the support and comfort of our souls, while 
 His word has been food and strength, wisdom 
 and consolation. Truly we can say, Christ has 
 "been precious, vsry precious. How often have we 
 fotind pardon and peace, when as guilty we have 
 gone before His throne ! 
 
 " And now when I look back upon all the way 
 the Lord has led ns these forty years in the wil- 
 derness, to prove us, and see what was in our 
 hearts, whether -we would serve Him or not, I 
 think much has been disclosed in my heart offen- 
 sive to Him, and dishonorable to me ; and Ipraiy 
 Sim, to forgme, aad still bless us both, while we 
 remain below. I hope' yon find access to the 
 throne of God from day to day, and leaving your 
 burdens with Him, are passing the time in pa- 
 tience ; for while yon ai-e paHent in triiidation, 
 and continuing instant in prayer, you can rejoice 
 in hope — a hope which maketh not ashamed, be- 
 cause tiie love of God is shed abroad in oiu- hearts 
 by the Holy Ghost which ie given unto us," 
 
 His labors were continued through the winter in 
 different parts of the "VTest, without interruption. 
 
176 MEMOnt OF 
 
 No record of them, however, is now foxmd, except 
 in occasional letters ; from one of which, addressed 
 to A. M. Beebee, Esq., Utica, 1843, from Kentucky, 
 we make the following extracts : 
 
 " My health is good, generally. My life, which 
 has al/ways heen m Godh hand, was again put in 
 jeopardy on the 14th inst., by being thrown sud- 
 denly from my carriage upon the Macadamized 
 rock road. No bones were broken, but the bruise 
 was dreadful. I fell into the hands of sympathiz- 
 ing friends, both in the family and the physician. 
 After being confined to my room and bed several 
 days, my labors were resumed, but much pain is 
 suffered yet in the side and shoulder. 
 
 " Some time since I heard a leading Campbellite 
 discourse on the first chapter of Colossians. When 
 he came to verse 14, By whom we have redefrvptwih 
 through His ilood, even the forgivetiess of sins, 
 he paused a moment and said : ' Some people think 
 the l>lood of Christ has something to do with the 
 forgi/ueness of sins, and,' said he, ' I have no doubt 
 they are honest in thinking so, but they are ffreatly 
 mistaken. The blood of Christ has nothing to do 
 in putting away sins, under the new covenant, 
 any more than the blood of bulls and goats had 
 under the Old Testament. The blood ratifies the 
 covenant, and we must obey its commands to be 
 
EEV. AT.TiTCEiD BEKUBIT. Ill 
 
 saved.' Is not this do and Kve? or rather, doing 
 and dying ! 
 
 " A gentleman of high standing handed me the 
 following statement in writing a few days ago : 
 'I heard a eermon in Fi-anMbrt, in Jan., 1843, 
 delivered by Mr. Fall (who is a prominent Camp- 
 beUite ministei-), on the subject, in part, of the 
 new birth, in which he stated the new birth was 
 an outward ordinance altogether. He said, a man 
 might have faith, repentance, a new heart, and a 
 good conscience, yet he had not experienced the 
 new birth. He said baptism was a figurative 
 iieath. The last breath an individual drew before 
 he was put into the water he was ont of the king- 
 dom, while under the water his breath was stopped, 
 and the first breath he di'ew after he was raised 
 from the water he was in the kingdom and a child 
 of God.' 
 
 " Mistaken views of human depravity occasion 
 much of this error, in my opinion. Han is not 
 viewed as a poor, bankrupt vagabond, while in 
 sin — utterly wretched, helpless, and miserable — 
 lying in the wicked one, dead in trespasses and 
 sins— justly deserving eternal damnation — and 
 needing such help as oi^ly O^d can give him in 
 JesuB Christ, according to the riches of His grace. 
 Blessed be God for a Eedeemer that can save sin- 
 
178 MEMOIE OB 
 
 ners ! This is the precious truth which comforts 
 my heart amidst the toils and solicitude of life. 
 Christ is all raj confidence still, after forty-five 
 years of experience. I have no righteousness to 
 mention but His righteousness, and I have to go 
 in the strength of the Lord God fi-om day to day. 
 My prayer is, J^fow also, when I am old amd gray- 
 headed, God, forsake me not, till I home showed 
 Thy strength imto this generation, and Thy power 
 to every one that is to come.'''' 
 
 The missionary meeting at Hamilton, during the 
 commencement anniversaries of Aug.,- 1843, will 
 be remembered with deep interest for many years. 
 An immense assembly was gathered in a large, 
 shaded grove, forming an amphitheatre — a spot 
 hallowed in earlier days by the prayers of the 
 lamented Thomas. Rev. Eugenio Eancaid, re- 
 turned missionary from Bm'mah, had preached, 
 depicting with graphic power the signal triumphs 
 of grace in that heathen land, holding the vast 
 auditory intensely interested for nearly two houi's 
 and a half. No ordinary man could have safely 
 followed him. Mere reasoning, or learning, or 
 oratory would have seemed cold trifling. It re- 
 quired a soul, elevated and capacious, burning with 
 love to Christ, and melting with compassion for a 
 perishing world. Mr. Bennett was the preacher 
 
EET. ALEEED BEKUETT. 179 
 
 chosen. He selected as his theme the words of 
 the Apostle, Bretlvren, pray for lis ; and an unc- 
 tion from the Holy One seemed to rest upon him. 
 He spoke as one fresh fi.-om the throne of God, 
 and standing beneath the cross of the great Re- 
 deemer, The sermon, though in the midst of other 
 exercises of thrilling interest, left an impression 
 not yet effaced from the hearts of the multitudea 
 then assembled. 
 
 Eai'ly in 18M we find him again in Michigan, 
 where, for the first time, he was attacked with the 
 ague, so common in the West. By this, however, 
 he was not laid aside fi-om his work, but pursued 
 it with usual ardor, until by powerful remedies the 
 disease was at length broken up. 
 
 The Southern churches having withdrawn from 
 the General Convention, a special meeting of that 
 body was convened, Kov., 1845, in the city of 
 Jfew York, for the purpose of reorganization; 
 when a new constitution was adopted, and the 
 society took the name of "The American Baptist 
 Missionary "Union." Dr. Judson, the veteran mis- 
 sionary, was providentially present, in feeble health, 
 and having recently, on his homeward voyage, 
 deposited the lifeless remains of Mrs. Jndson in 
 their grave on the Island of St. Helena, Deep 
 emotion was experienced at the sight of the vener- 
 
180 MEMOIE OF 
 
 able man of God, whose career for thirty years 
 had been marked with a noble devotion, amidst 
 sufferings and labors for Christ. "Father Ben- 
 nett" was requested to address the Throne of Grace. 
 A live coal from off the heavenly altar seemed to 
 have touched his lips. A petition so fervent and 
 touching, carrying the assembly with it, as it were, 
 into the presence of God, and spreading the wants 
 and interests of the occasion at the foot of the 
 Throne, has seldom been heard irom the lips of 
 man. It appeared to be from the inspiration of 
 the Holy Ghost. Every heart was melted and 
 borne irresistibly with it, and the immense assem- 
 bly was bathed in tears. 
 
 After the organization of the Missionary Union, 
 much dissatisfaction was felt with that article of 
 the constitution which prescribes the terms of 
 membership. Many preferred the principle of 
 church representation to that of life-membership 
 which had been adopted. The discussion in many 
 sections was warm, and not seldom acrimonious. 
 It was seriously apprehended that a rupture would 
 be occasioned by it. The subject, however, was 
 finally disposed of, by referring it for final decision 
 to the whole body of membei-s ; the result of wMch 
 was a large majority in fovor of the life-member- 
 ship basis. During the progress of this conti-o- 
 
EEV. ALFEED BENMEPT. 181 
 
 Tersy, ■which contiiiaed several years, Mr. Bennett's 
 labors were unremitting to calm agitation and 
 prevent the dissatiBfaction from prejudicing the 
 interests of the missions. The harmonious co- 
 operation of the churches in the Union, which re- 
 mains, for the most part, unbroken in I^Tew York 
 and the "Western States, is to be attributed in 
 no small degree to the happy influence he ex- 
 erted. 
 
 To the Baptist ecclesiastical polity, especially 
 the independence of the churches, he was warmly 
 and conscientiously attached, and his views on 
 this subject had remarkable distinctness. This 
 gave to his counsels great value, as he passed 
 among the chnrches and participated in the de- 
 liberations of CouncilB, Associations, and other 
 public religions bodies. The following incidents 
 wiU illustrate at once the opinions he entertained, 
 and the practical use he made of them. 
 
 During his early ministry, a Presbyterian cler-, 
 gyman, with whom he was on terms of intimacy, 
 once remarked, what a desirable gradation of 
 courts the Presbyterian church poHty furnished 
 from one to another, to which difficulties might 
 be referred for adjustment ; and wished to know 
 what the Baptists did when their on^ tribunal — 
 the church in which the difficulty origuiated — 
 16 
 
182 MEMOIR OK 
 
 failed to reach a satisfactory decision. He had to 
 reply that there was no way but to " hang it up" 
 for adjudication at the day of final account. Mr. 
 B. then asked him, in turn, what they did when 
 their Session failed to give satisfaction. He re- 
 plied that their resort was to the Presbytery. 
 But, rejoined Mr. B., suppose the Presbytery in 
 like manner fails? The appeal then lies to the 
 Synod, was the answer. But suppose the Synod 
 fail too ? The next resort is to the General As- 
 sembly, was of course answered ; and when Mr. 
 B. inquired for the resort beyond this, the Pres- 
 byterian brother, already anticipating the end to 
 which he was coming, pleasantly replied, that he 
 supposed they would have to " hang it up" like 
 their Baptist brethren. Mr. B. then wished to 
 know if it would not have saved much trouble, 
 expense, and asperity of feeling, if they could 
 have " hung it up" after the firet trial. He then 
 gave an account of a difficulty which originated 
 in a joke about a member of a church, at the 
 South, walking home with a lady M'hose husband 
 was not a member of the church. It was at first 
 of no account, but one joke originated another; 
 and they together grew into something serious. 
 The members of the church and community took 
 Bides with one paa-ty or the other, and the difficul- 
 
183 
 
 ty, like all others conLmencing in notting and re- 
 ceiving constant accretions from the spirit wMch 
 they generate in their progress, proved incapable 
 of adjustment, and after travelling the whole round 
 of tribunals, had to be "hung up" in reserve for 
 the Judgment, both by the original parties and 
 those who had attached themselves to either side 
 in the progi-ess of the ti-ials. 
 
 He had fi-equent occasion to coiTCct errors on 
 this subject, and always did it with great kind- 
 ness, and in a manner to leave good feeling be- 
 hind. At a State Convention in one of the West- 
 ern States, he noticed at one time a great disposi- 
 tion, in the circles of brethren in which he moved, 
 to bring up for discussion the subject of secret so- 
 cieties and pass strong resolutions upon it. He 
 went among them privately, and sought to dis- 
 suade them from bringing it up. It was not prop- 
 er, he said, and the result would always be bad 
 for other bodies to anticipate and conh'ol the ac- 
 tion of the churches, by passing general resolu- 
 tions which they could apply to no pai-ticular 
 case. He thought these societies bad in their in- 
 fluence, but that the individual chui'ches ought to 
 deal with those who went off to such organiza- 
 tions, untrammelled by the decisions of the Con- 
 vention. The subject was not introduced. 
 
184r MEMOIB OF ' 
 
 His usefulness on these tours, as a sound advi- 
 ser and clear expositor of biblical principles of 
 church polity, wiU long be felt in its influence in 
 different parts of the Union. 
 
 The years 1846-7 were employed mainly in the 
 State of New York, with occasional visits to his 
 original field in the West. Many mass mission- 
 ary meetings were attended during this period, 
 where, with undiminished ardor, he plead the 
 cause of the heathen. He also made a trip to 
 Ohio, in company with Eev. Mr. Osgood, return- 
 ed missionary, during the spring of 1847, the re- 
 sults of which were highly beneficial. In the re- 
 port of his labors, given May, 1848, for the year 
 then closed, it is stated that he had visited one 
 hundred and twelve churches in 'New York (some 
 of them twice), with twelve Associations; besides 
 spending April and May chiefly in Ohio, and 
 September and October in Wisconsin and Michi- 
 gan. He had travelled about eight thousand 
 three hundred and fifty-two miles, and preached 
 two hundred and fifty-two sermons, besides ad- 
 dressing different assemblies, on other occasions, 
 nearly as many times more. 
 
 It was thus he toiled, while his head was al- 
 ready whitened for the grave, and his frame bow- 
 ed imder the weight of almost seventy years. 
 
HET. *T.-ETf.TCTi BENNETT. 185 
 
 The work was God's. The interesta o£ a dying 
 world lay upon hia heart. The reward was near 
 and gloriouB. 
 
 16* 
 
186 MEMODS'OF 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 ILLNESS AND DEATH. 
 
 The first intimation of the presence of the pain- 
 ful disease, which at length terminated fatally, 
 was given at Hamilton, during the .Commence- 
 ment anniversaries of Madison University. The 
 excitement respecting the removal of that institu- 
 tion to a more western location was then at its 
 height, and rendered the occasion one of deep, 
 and often painful, interest. This may have been 
 the occasion of the attack at that time ; the 
 causes, however, are to be found in the long-con- 
 tinued privations and exposm-es necessarily inci- 
 dent to his agency. The disease then- speedily 
 yielded to medical treatment, and he was able in 
 a few days to resume travelling. 
 
 Early in the next month, he was called to 
 preach the funeral sermon of Kev. Dr. Nathaniel 
 Kendrick, who, after a protracted period of ex- 
 cruciating suffering, under which the eminent ser- 
 vant of God was signally supported, died in peace- 
 
rNETT. 187 
 
 fill triumpli at the village of Hamilton. The text 
 assigned him by his departed Mend was from the 
 forty-thii-d Psalm : 3op6 m God; for I shaU yet 
 prcdse Sim, who is the health of inty cQvM&nam.Ga 
 and my God. The occasion deeply affected him ; 
 and from tlie fulness of his capacions soul, he 
 set forth " The Christian's grounds of consolation 
 and triumph," with an ardor and imction which 
 will not soon be forgotten by hie auditors. He 
 felt himself standing over the grave of an early 
 and long-tried friend, with whom were associated 
 many of the most precions recollections of life, 
 while his own enfeebled frame reminded him, also, 
 of approaching dissolution. Of this event, he 
 thus writes tqlVtre. Bennett: "So, then, that good 
 man has received an honorable discharge forever 
 from all his' sufferings. I am looking with pleas- 
 ure and strong hope, that soon you and I shall 
 also be removed from this state of tumidfc and 
 trouble— of privation and toil — of imperfection 
 and sorrow. May it be alike safe and honorable 
 for us !" 
 
 Soon-after, he felt constrained, by inci-easing fee- 
 blenese,- to propose a paitial release from his 
 agency. " The labor and responsibility," he re- 
 marks, " are becoming a burden, in prospect of a 
 cold ifrinter, with windy and stormy days and 
 
188 MEMOIE 01" 
 
 nights, when appointments nrnst le met, or the 
 cause suffer. My age and infirmities are the only 
 plea. My heart is in the work, and I am willing 
 to do what I can ; but what was once easy for 
 me in travelling and preaching, and visiting from 
 house to house, and from town to town, is now 
 impossible." The Executive Committee did not, 
 however, release him, but left it discretional 
 with him to labor or refrain, as health would 
 permit. 
 
 In the view of advancing age, he thus wrote to 
 Eev. Alvin Bennett, November 29, 184:8 : 
 
 " The journey of life with us wiH soon be over, 
 and the joys and sorrows incident to the way may 
 now be mentioned freely. My own experience 
 teUs me of much for which I have to mourn, and 
 over which to battle hard, that I may be a victor 
 at last. For ' he that overcometh shall inherit all 
 things.' It is difficult to overcome Satan and aU 
 his devices ; they are artful and powerful. Then 
 the world comes in at the door of the enemy, 
 but in the garb of friendship, and seems to have 
 a demcmd on our time and attention, carrying us 
 along with its spirit in search for its perishable 
 treasures and seductive pleasures. . . And last, 
 but not least, self, beloved self, enters and claims 
 the throne within. Now, what should I do, what 
 
EET. AlEEED BENNETT. 189 
 
 could I do ■without a SaTiour, and aucli a Saviour 
 as is JeauB Clirist, ■who receiveth Binnere, and 
 maketh them holy, and crowneth them with glory 
 and honor ? In His name, and by His blessing, 
 I am still in the £eld, laboring to promote rigbt- 
 eonsness and truth in the earth." 
 
 A few weeks during the autumn of this year 
 were spent, as often before, in the West. On his 
 return, he addresaed a letter to Kev. WiUiam 
 Pabner, ]S"orwich, Conn., December 16, from 
 which we take the foUo'wing paragraph : 
 
 " ' Sod moTsa io a myBterioua way, 
 HiB wonders to perform ,' 
 
 and we may add, in a m,c0esiio way ; yea, more, 
 in a in^tnfiil way. The greatest wonders are 
 seen in the works of His grace in this fallen 
 "world, prepaiing citizens for heaven; and it seems 
 to me, if I am permitted citizenship there at last, 
 it wiU be the greatest wonder of all. StiH, my 
 heart 'is not affected as much with the truth as it 
 ought to be. I fear I am depending more on past 
 experience than upon present communion with 
 God, for my e'vidence of acceptance with Christ. 
 I know not bow it may be with you, but I find in 
 old age a disposition to sink into a habit or form 
 of religion, which I fear I may substitute for the 
 
190 MEMOIE OF 
 
 living principle, and so deceive myself. "Well, 
 we shall soon know our future destiny; and it 
 will be peculiarly joyful, if we may be nea/r and 
 like our Lord Jesus Christ. That will he heaven 
 indeed." 
 
 This winter and the summer of 1849 were em- 
 ployed in the State of New Tork, with his accus- 
 tomed zeal and success ; and during the closing 
 months of the year, he performed one of the se- 
 verest journeys in the West which it had fallen 
 to his lot to experience.- He was accompanied on 
 this trip by Kev. Mr. Eronson, jetumed mission- 
 ary from Assam. Of this tour, he reniarks : " My 
 health has been good during the whole journey, 
 except fatigue from excess of travel. The meet- 
 ings were so near together in time, and so far 
 apart in distance, there was no rest. I was absent 
 from home forty-eight days, in which I travelled 
 a little over three thousand miles, and attended 
 meetings twenty-four days, or parts of days, in 
 that time. God has blessed us in our jotirney- 
 ings, and to His name be everlasting praise." 
 
 The venerable " Father Peck" closed his long 
 and useful life December 15, 1849. According to 
 an arrangement made between them many yeai-s 
 before, that the survivor should minister at the 
 grave of the first deceased, Mr. Bennett was call- 
 
REV. AUWSED BBNHETT. 191 
 
 ed to preacli the funeral sermon of this, auotLer 
 of his early co-laborers. Hia text was Acte siii. 
 36 : Devoid, ccftei' he Ttad served Ms own genera- 
 £on, iy the will of God, fell on. sle&p : -when he 
 paid a jiist and feeling ti-ibute to the memoi^ of 
 his excellent friend. They had been aSBociated 
 intimately through life : first as pastors in the 
 Madison Association, when they regularly ex- 
 changed pulpita once a year ; and subsequently 
 as ageuta, the one of the Foreign, the other of the 
 Home Mission Society, At om- national anniver- 
 saries, these two venerable fathers in the ministiy, 
 for many years, were always seen, calm amidst 
 agitation, wise in counsel, fervent in spirit, and 
 mighty in prayer before the Throne, The death 
 of this loved fellow-servant of God came to him as 
 a premonition of his own approaching departure. 
 A letter to Eev, WiUiam Palmer, in AprU, 
 from Homer, remarks : " We have bmied two of 
 our old dUsens the past week. Those of onr age 
 are becoming scarce. Our brother Eleazar has 
 gone to rest before his brethren : he went quick, 
 hut safe. Brother Peck, of Cazenovia, has also 
 laid off his armor, and at'the Saviour's call gone 
 np to his habitation, where he will ever be with 
 the Lord. I believe now there is but one man 
 left among the ministry of !New Tort, who w&s 
 
192 MEMOm OF 
 
 in that office here when I entered the State. 
 Life seems very short, but the prospect is not 
 gloomy." 
 
 Another of the same month, to his only remain- 
 ing brother, Eev. Alvin Bennett, thus records the 
 reflections of this period : 
 
 " How few families have more reason of grati- 
 tude than ours, for the distinguished mercy of 
 God t Parents pious : with this is connected the 
 Christian education of their children. They, in 
 turn, grow up all professing godliness. Through 
 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, they have 
 lived .and died in faith, ; or are living, with good 
 hope, through grace^ of meeting each other, their 
 parents, and the Saviour, in^ heaven. My times 
 are in God's hand, and will be consummated 
 soon. 
 
 " In reviewing the way the Lord has led me, I 
 find much cause for astonishment, both as regai'ds 
 my disobedience and ingratitude to Him, and His 
 compassion and patience towards me. Well may 
 I say, ' Bless the Lord, O my soul, six& forget not 
 all His benefits.' I hope, however, God has 
 blessed me with His approving presence even this 
 winter, notwithstanding all my backslidings fi-om 
 Him. I have enjoyed some sweet seasons in 
 preaching the glorious Gospel of Christ, while 
 
RET. ALFEED EKSNETT. 193 
 
 laboring to persuade men to aid in preaching it 
 to others. T have found it good to draw neai- to 
 God in prayer, and it has been with sweet satis- 
 faction I have had the high honor at a throne of 
 grace of pouring out my soul before Him. One 
 thing is a comfort to me in my old age : it is, that 
 I have been counted worthy to be pat into the 
 ministry, and *iiat I have not been left of God so 
 to wander from that ministry, as to engage in 
 politics, or worldly bnsiness, or become connected 
 with any secret societice, so as to be btought un- 
 der their power. To feel that I am independent 
 of the world, and permitted to call God my 
 Pather, Jesus Christ my Saviour, the Holy Spirit 
 my Comforter, and Heaven my home — ^is enough. 
 I am satisfied, and looMng up, can say, Fatker, 
 Tliy will ie doneJ" 
 
 At the opening of summer, he made his last 
 visit to the Western States, accompanied by Kev. 
 Mr, Haswull, returned missionary from Eurmah. 
 The tour was successful, but he experienced a re- 
 currence of the ague, which, with a severe and 
 painful inilammation in one of his limbs, compel- 
 led him on returning to Homer to desist from ac^ 
 tive labor. To Eev. Edwai'd Bright, Home Sec- 
 retary of the Union, he wrote, July 16 : 
 
 "I sometimes become exceedingly uneasy, say- 
 17 
 
194 MEMOIE OF 
 
 ing, What shall we do to meet the outfit of that 
 blessed cargo of missionaries* now ahout to sail, 
 and supply the current expenses of the year? 
 Then I look up to God, who has the hearts of all 
 men in His hand, and submit the matter to Him. 
 Faith in His purpose and promise tends to give 
 peace to my mind. So here I am, old and infirm, 
 compelled to submit to the providence of God con- 
 cerning me : stiU, I think I rejoice to be iu His 
 hand, as the clay is in the hand of the potter. 
 Tou are now exceedingly busy preparing for the 
 embarkation of the missionaries. May God's 
 presence go with them to their fields of labor ! 
 Could I see them, I would say, 
 
 ' Now, here's my heart, and here's my hand,' 
 
 to labor now in His work, and meet you there, 
 above, where together and forever we may bow 
 before the Lord our Kedeemer, and with all our 
 hearts praise Him who has counted us worthy to 
 labor mid suffer for His sake. Oh, it is an hxtnor." 
 Again, July 22, he wrote in reference to the 
 same event : " To-day, I suppose, is filled up with 
 
 * Eev. Eugenio Kincaid, John Dawson, M. D, and their -wives, 
 designated to Ava or some other place in the interior of Burmah ; 
 Eev. Messrs. S. M. Whiting and William Ward, and their wives, 
 with Hiss M. S. Shaw, designated to Assam. 
 
SET. ALFRED BENNETT. 195 
 
 activity and anxiety connected with the departure 
 of the miBsionaries. "Well, if I were able to share 
 any part of the labor, it would give me pleasure, 
 as I think ; and yet I know it is not according to 
 the will of God, for .His providence has otherwise 
 ordered. It is a consolation to feel that the mis- 
 sion cause is under the immediate care and eye of 
 the adorable Saviour, who baa His elect subjects 
 in all lands and among all languages, and they 
 will be gathered in at the appointed time ; for 
 He hath purposed it. Also the means are all at 
 His disposal, by which He will accomplish His 
 design. If He has ought more for me to do, 
 ability will be given me to effect it ; but I know 
 that He am caiTy forward His work to comple- 
 tion withont me, and I ought not to repine. I 
 am unworthy of the honor connected with such 
 an enterprise. I only am troubled now in view 
 of the past, lest He has laid me aside, being of- 
 fended that I did not honor Him more, that I had 
 no higher respect for His majesly, no more exalt- 
 ed views of His holiness and glory, and no greats 
 er measure of that selfjoathing, hatred of sin, 
 and confidence in Christ, wbich ought ever to 
 dwell in the heart of a sinner, saved by the grace 
 of Grod from deserved and eternal ruin." 
 His active work was now done. He expe- 
 
196 MEMOIE OF 
 
 rienced soon after a recurrence of the disease 
 which had temporarily prostrated him at Hamil- 
 ton, attended with great physical suffering. The 
 severity of it passed away in a few days, but the 
 complaint was never removed. Writing of it 
 soon after, he remarked : " The affliction has been 
 wholly confined to my body. My soul ha& leen 
 at ease. I could say with Samuel Pearce — 
 
 ' Sweet affliction, sweet affiction. 
 Singing as I wade to heaven.' 
 
 It seemed I was lifted up by "a hair, and swxmg 
 out into space, entirely beyond the reach of friends, 
 or of medical influence, where I was held by a,n 
 Almighty agency, and in doubt whether I would 
 land again ia this world or not. But oh ! how 
 sweet it was to be there ! all was peace, for I was 
 in the hand of my best Friend." 
 
 He made a brief visit to Saratoga Springs with 
 apparently beneficial results to his general health, 
 especially in removing the ague, which had long 
 been upon him ; but he left soon, anxious to at- 
 tend to the interests of the Missionary Union in 
 several associations about to assemble, where he 
 became much exhausted. His last public effort, 
 before any considerable body of his brethren in 
 the ministry, was November 4, when he preached 
 
EEV. AlEEED BENSETT. 197 
 
 the fii-at annual sermon before the I7ew York Bap- 
 tiet Union for Ministerial Education, at the open.- 
 iog of the University of Eochestei- — an institution 
 of which he was one of the most generous found- 
 ers, and in which to the last he took the livelieat 
 interest. His theme on this occasion was, The 
 hnowlddge of God, the true iasis and Mghest &nd 
 of ed/maUon : in the discusBion of which be un- 
 folded the most impressive views of tbe indisso- 
 luble relation between godliness and true learmng, 
 and tbe necessity of sacred principles as tbe only 
 foundation of the educational work. 
 
 He subsecLuently returned to Bochester, at the 
 invitation of Dr. H. "W. Dean, a warm personal 
 friend, whose hospitality and medical attention he 
 enjoyed for several weeks, and of whose unwearied 
 kindness, with that of his family, he always en- 
 tertained a most grateful sense. Several other 
 eminent medical gentlemen of that city were also 
 consulted, but human help bad become powerless, 
 except to alleviate suffering. Dr. Dean, in a let- 
 ter to the writer, remarks : " At the time be first 
 submitted his case to me," October, 1850, he was 
 Buffering from a disease of his digestive organs 
 of a chronic character, just such as might be ex- 
 pected to result from his long-protracted habits of 
 exposui'e to inclement weather, long fesfing, and 
 17* 
 
198 MEMOIE OF 
 
 the i consequent evil of improper food untimely 
 taken. This had provoked a more serious malady 
 — an organic disease of the kidneys, which, with 
 the certain prospect of a fatal issue, denied to us 
 the physician's comfort. His suiferiags were al- 
 most constant, and at times extreme. Allow me 
 to add, that I have rarely witnessed more pa- 
 tience, submission, and uniform good feeling in 
 suffering, than in our lamented ' Father Bennett.' 
 He was a living testator to the worth of Chris- 
 tianity in a needy hour." 
 
 On his return to Homer, he continued gi-adu- 
 ally sinking. He thus addressed the Eev. Alvin 
 Bennett, December 31, 1860 : 
 
 " The date of this reminds me of the flight of 
 time, and the close of the first half of the nine- 
 teenth century, in which great changes have taken 
 place. Well, blessed be Grod for His goodness to 
 us ! The change of aU changes, and the one by 
 which we have been the most affected, was that in 
 our affections, which occurred before the com- 
 mencement of the present centmy. T7e go back 
 to thrilling scenes in Mansfield for the cause of 
 those hopes and efforts which have characterized 
 our lives. That God to whom I then committed 
 the keeping of my soul, has been my unfailing 
 Bupport ; yea, He is the God of my life. Jesus 
 
EEV. tT.THt.nn BENHETT. 199 
 
 Christ, that precious Saviour, to me the chiefest 
 among ten thousaud, v>as then cmd is now the 
 One altogther lovely." 
 
 His last meeting with the chiireh in Homer, 
 over which he so long presided, was at the cele- 
 bration of the Lord's Supper, on the £rst Sabbath 
 in February, the fifty-&st anniversary of his pub- 
 lic profession of Christ, when his emaciated coun- 
 tenance and tremulous voice gave to all sad pre- 
 monitions of his approaehing departure, and added 
 sorrow to the deep solemnity of that occasion. 
 Once a week his Christian brethren were accus- 
 tomed to gather round him, to unite with him in 
 prayer and receive his dying counsels ; and many 
 of those seasons will live in their remembrance 
 tiU they join Mm in the skies. His house was fre- 
 quently thronged by those, coming from far and 
 near, who sought one more word of counsel before 
 he should depart. 
 
 His mind was, from the first, calm and peace- 
 ful. The prospects before him were bright and 
 blessed, and Uie rays of glory seemed to fall upon 
 his soul with intenser brilliancy as he drew nearer 
 the eternal world. There were no ecstasies, but a. 
 calm, sweet, tmshaken confidence in the Kedeemer. 
 In one of the last conversations, he spoke to this 
 e&ct: "More than fifty years ago I had a view 
 
200 MEMOIE OF 
 
 of God upon the throne. I saw that He ruled, and 
 would rule in spite of me ; and it was my great- 
 est misery. I would gladly have hurled Him from 
 His seat, if it had been in my power, but I could 
 not. I saw that He was sovereign, and I hated 
 Him ; it was my terror and misery that I could 
 not detlirone Him. But," he continued, "this 
 winter I have enjoyed another view of God. I 
 have seen Him upon the throne, and the sight has 
 filled me with rejoicings. I love to see Him there. 
 I am glad He is Sovereign. I love His character ; 
 I love His Gospel; I love His government; I 
 would not have one alteration in His plan. All 
 His ways are holy, just, and true ; and they ai-e 
 just as I would have them. His sovereignty, which 
 was once my greatest dread and anguish, is now 
 the chief source of my comfort and hope." As a 
 few friends had gathered round him, at the close 
 of worship on Lord's Day, he remai-ked: "I, do 
 not know where I shall spend the next Sabbath. 
 I am in hope soon to put off this old garment, and 
 enter where I can worship God in the beauty of 
 holiness." 
 
 The church in Homer was especially dear to him ; 
 and among his latest petitions those for the loved 
 brethren there seemed to rise with peculiar fervor. 
 "When asked if there was any message he would ' 
 
BET. iXTEED EENNETT. 201 
 
 have the pastor bear them as hia dying counsels, 
 he replied ; " I have been delivering my message 
 for more than forty years ; and now my work is 
 done." The life he lived among them ; the truths 
 of God, which, when in vigor, he so faithfully dis- 
 pensed ; the admonitions, and counsels, and con- 
 solations administered to them for nearly half a 
 century — these were his dying bequests. " Thei-e 
 are two questions," said he, " which I could wish 
 put to the church, and to all the world. They are 
 these : Which is of greatest value, the body, or the 
 soul? and for which are you making the most 
 effort?" Then raising bis enfeebled voice, he ex- 
 claimed : " Oh that all could see the priceless worth 
 of the sonl, as it now appears to me !" His pastor 
 one day speaking of the Gtospel as sustaining him 
 in this hour of trial, he replied with great empha- 
 sis : " I would it could be proclaimed wide as the 
 world, that the Gospel I have feebly endeavored 
 to preach for many years is now my only and all- 
 sufficient comfort." Some gentlemen of wealth 
 having called to pay respect to him in his illness, 
 when they were gone it was remarked by one pre- 
 sent that they were without a Christian's hope ; he 
 answered with an expression of deep humility and 
 gratitude to God : " I would not now exchange the 
 blessed consciousness of having honestly endear 
 
202 MEMOIE OF 
 
 vored to serve the cause of God and the spiritual 
 interests of men, for all the wealth they have accu- 
 mulated. Apart from any good which may have 
 been done, or any results which may follow, there 
 is a heavenly sweetness in the very consciousness 
 of having sought to live for the Gospel." 
 
 He frequently desired those who visited him to 
 sing some of the familiar songs of Zion, remark- 
 ing : "I expect soon to be where there wiU be 
 much singing, and I would faiu hear a little now." 
 One occasion wrs specially marked, when a little 
 company assembled round his bed, and sung a 
 number of well-known Conference hymns, select- 
 ing those which were common years before, when 
 he was pastor. It deeply affected him ; and, at 
 his request, they closed by singing : 
 
 " There is a fountain filled with blood," <fec, 
 
 which he thought best expressed his feelings. 
 "When his body became emaciated and disagree- 
 able even to himself, he would sometimes say: 
 " That is a. sweet promise, Me shaU change our 
 vile lody, that it may he fashioned like unto Sis 
 glorious lody f^ and would add, "Yes, Jesus has 
 an interest in this poor body yet.'' As his end 
 drew near, he remarked to the pastor : " The world 
 is receding, and I am glad of it. I leave it as one 
 
KBV. ALFRED BENMETT. 203 
 
 would some ■unpleasant company ■with ■which he 
 has been compelled for a time to associate ; the 
 society aboTe looks infinitely more precious." The 
 missionary cause lay much upon his heart. When 
 extended conversation seemed to ■weary him in 
 iuB feebleness, his pastor -was ■wont to read to him 
 irom the prophecies relating to the future triumphs 
 of the Gospel, and the hymns composed on the 
 ■wide extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. This 
 gave to the dying man of God apparently much 
 comfort. The kindness experienced at the hands 
 of the citizens of Homer filled him with gratitude, 
 and he gave special charge that it shoidd be ac- 
 knowledged at the fimeral. His sufferings were 
 protracted beyond ■what ■was anticipated ; for sev- 
 eral weeks he seemed to be dying, and during the 
 last two ■weeks he could receive no nourishment at 
 all, except a few grains of medicine, mixed in a 
 little water, and taken at intervals during each day. 
 In reference to this, one remarked to him that God 
 arranged all his concerns, and knew just how long 
 and how m^uch- it ■was needful for him to suffer. 
 He replied : " I sometimes feel ready to exclaim : 
 
 ' How loEg, dear Saviour, oh ioTr loog, 
 Thj chariot wheels delay 1' 
 
 But then I think, why should all the powers of 
 
2.04: MEMOIE OF 
 
 nature be tasked, just to save me a few days of 
 suffering? Why wish the way of God altered? 
 It might — so complex are God's plans — cause last- 
 ing injury to thousands of souls, to spare me a 
 short time of pain. The plan of God is all right : 
 I would sink into His wiH." When too weak to 
 converse with freedom, he was wont to reply to 
 inquiries respecting the state of his mind : " I am 
 almost home, Jesus is precious." " Peace." " All 
 is clear." " Not a cloud, not a shade." And in 
 this state he continued, till on the morning of May 
 10, 1861, in the seventy-first year of his age, his 
 body sunk peacefully in death, and the " chariot 
 of fire and horses of fire," ascending, bore him 
 beyond our sight. 
 
 The concourse at his funeral, which occurred 
 May 12, was immense. Eev. T. K. Fessenden, 
 pastor of the Congregational Church in Homer, 
 led the .deeply affected multitude in prayer before 
 the Throne. The funeral sermon, by request of the 
 deceased, was preached by his early friend and 
 brother, Eev. Lewis Leonard, of Oazenovia. The 
 text selected by the preacher was Eev. xiv. 13 : 
 JBlessed a/re tlie dead which die in the Lord from 
 hmceforth: Yea, aaith tJie Spirit, ilmt they may 
 rest from their labors ; and their works do follow 
 them. The mourning circle was then addressed, 
 
EE7. ALIEED BEHNETT. 205 
 
 and prayer offered, by the venerable "Eather 
 Purinton," of MacLean, wlio had for nearly forty 
 yeara been intimately associated with the departed 
 servant of God, l"he closing hymn was that singu- 
 larly beautiftd and expressive effusion of Mont- 
 gomery, commencing — 
 
 "Friend after friend departs f 
 
 the last verse of which awolce in many bosoms 
 touching memories of the departed fathers, Ken- 
 drick and Peck, who had so lately preceded iim 
 ■whose lifeless form lay before them: 
 
 " Thus star by star dedinea, 
 Till all are passed awaj ; 
 As mn minfr high and Mglier siiinef^t 
 
 - To pare and perfect day : 
 Nor einl; thoae stoie in empty nigbt, 
 Gut liide tliemaelyea in Heavea'a own li^t." 
 
 During the solemn, services, the stores were closed 
 and all buBuiesa suspended ; the Academy, its 
 trustees, bf&eers, and students, united in the mous- 
 ing concourse ; and the whole community gathered 
 in the house of God, where, amidst the sacred still- 
 ness of death, the falling tear and the heaving 
 breast attested their grief, as for a departed father. 
 On the following Sabbath, in accordance with the 
 wish of the deceased, his pastor addressed tiie 
 18 
 
206 MEMOIR OF 
 
 congregation and community, on which occasion a 
 discourse was delivered from 2 Kings ii. 12 : My 
 father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the 
 horsemen thereof! presenting a brief outline of 
 his life and character. 
 
 The intelligence of his death reached Boston as 
 the Missionary Union was about opening its session 
 in that city, and spread the deepest sorrow through 
 theassembled body. Public expressions of grief, 
 and testimonials of his worth, were placed upon 
 their records ; in which they were followed by 
 numerous other religious bodies, both East and 
 West, attesting their high appreciation of his 
 character and services, and deploring his removal 
 as no ordinary loss to the chm-ches of Christ. 
 
 The following minute in relation to his death 
 was adopted by the Executive Committee of the 
 Missionary Board, and entered upon their records : 
 
 "The Eev. Alfred Bennett, of Homer, New 
 York, was for nearly a third of a century more or 
 less intimately identified with the cause of Foreign 
 Missions; and it is but just to his endeared 
 memory, to declare that he uniformly gave the 
 most unequivocal evidence of sincere, considerate, 
 earnest devotion to its highest, holiest ends. He 
 apprehended the object by an intelligent faith, and 
 pursued it with a perseverance that never faltered. 
 
EBV. ALIEED BENNKrr. 207 
 
 At an early period he joyMly gave a eon to the 
 foreign service, who still survives, a useful laborer 
 among the heathen. SubsecLnently, at the call of 
 the Board, he gave himself to the home service, 
 as an agent for the collection of funds, and the 
 culture of the missionary spirit in the churches. 
 In this department, for nineteen years, he was 
 laborious, indefatigable, judicious, and eminently 
 successful. His labors were widely extended ; and 
 in all his intercourse with the ministers and 
 churches, his conduct was remarkably fi-ee from 
 the breath of reproach. In every part of the field; 
 his presence and services were cordially welcomed. 
 His cheerful piety, his warm spirituality, his pru- 
 dence, patience, and fidelity, caused him to be 
 loved, respected, and trusted. Over a very wide 
 Burfece his influence was such as to render the 
 repetition of his visits an object of general desire. 
 To this committee, ajid its predecessor, the Acting 
 Board, the fruits of his agency Were, in all respects, 
 entirely satisfactory, and there was not an hour 
 when his withdrawal from the service would not 
 have been deprecated as a great loss. And it is 
 due to his memory to bear testimony to the feet, 
 that while he was industrious in efforts to supply 
 a needy treasury, he was himself a Hbcral contrib- 
 utor. Though his compensation was always quite 
 
208 KEMOIE OS 
 
 limited, yet, by careful economy and exemplary 
 self-denial, he regularly spared a generous portion 
 of Ms salary, and returned it as a free-will offering 
 to the cause which he served. 
 
 " The Executive Committee regard his removal 
 as a peculiarly afflicting dispensation ; and while 
 they would bow submissively to that sovereign 
 will which has transferred him from his work to 
 his reward — from his sufferings to his rest — ^they 
 would unite iu devout supplication to the King in 
 Zion, that others may be raised up to suprply the 
 breach, who shall as faithfully demonstrate their 
 attachment to the missionary enterprise, by a simi- 
 lar spirit of love to Christ, and love to the souls of 
 the perishing heathen." 
 
 An admirable sketch of his life and character 
 was afterwards published in the " Missionary Mag- 
 azine," from the discriminating and eloquent pen 
 of Prof. John H. Eaymond, of the University of 
 Eochester. A most touching and truthful tribute 
 to the memory of one of the fathers in the home- 
 work of missions, was thus placed among the per- 
 manent records of the missionary enterprise. 
 
EEV. ALFKED BEMKETT. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII, 
 
 OHAEACTEE. 
 
 Jesus, the Son of Grod, though ascended up into 
 heaven, and in His glorified humaji nature, adored 
 by the innumerable throng of sainta and angels, 
 is still present in the midet of 5ifl dieciples on 
 earth, 15'ow invested with all power, He selects 
 and adapts His own servants for the distinct po- 
 sition assigned each in the work of the world's 
 evangelization. He calls unto Him whom He 
 win, directs their preparatory discipline and in- 
 struction, and sends them foi-th to the station 
 where their work is appointed. The vast plan of 
 hnman redemption, in its detail as well ap its ex- 
 tent, in its means as well as its ends, is distinctly 
 sketched before His infinite mind ; and as the 
 world roUs onward to the Jndgment-bar, the 
 changing epochs and the varied characters of its 
 history ai-e but developments of His government 
 and illustrations of His wisdom. 
 
 It is fi-om this stand-point we would view the 
 18* 
 
210 MEMOIE OF 
 
 man of God, whose career has now been delinea- 
 ted. He was raised up for a peculiar work ; and 
 we may properly adore the wisdom displayed in 
 the adaptation of the man to the age and events 
 amidst which he was called to act. But it is not 
 permitted us to repine, if the same Unerring Wis- 
 dom selects men of somewhat modified external 
 qualities to carry on that work, now at a more 
 advanced stage and progressing under altered cir- 
 cumstances. The lofty principles which animated 
 him are of eternal excellency ; but the outward 
 characteristics were only adventitious, and must 
 of necessity alter with the altered form of society. 
 The hardy pioneer, whose axe rings in the west- 
 ern forests, at the outposts of civilization, might 
 not, with the same external peculiarities, be the 
 man to occupy an influential position amidst the 
 generation, whose thronging population a century 
 after shall densely fill the i-egion, where now the 
 solitary wilds echo the crack of his rifle, and the 
 earth resounds with the crash of the lofty cedar 
 felled by his hand. No man could live his own 
 life over. The world can never have a second 
 Luther, or Calvin, or Knox; the conjunction of 
 circumstances in which each acted can never 
 recur. The only niche in the temple of history 
 fitted for Buch a man is filled. The building of 
 
KEV. ALFRED BENHETT. 211 
 
 God, in thfi progress of its erection, reqtdres at 
 each successive period a class of workmen differ- 
 ing in exterior character from those who preceded 
 them ; and this doubtless will continue to be the 
 fact, until, beneath the hand of the Divine Archi- 
 tect, the magnificent Btructnre rise to its comple- 
 tion, and stands in " the perfection of beauty." 
 The servants of our God are all, indeed, parta- 
 kers of the same gi-ace ; they eat of the bread of 
 life, and drink of the heavenly fountain. One in 
 beart, one in aim, one in hope ; they are gafier- 
 ing, under the guidings of the one Heavenly 
 Spirit, into the common home of their Father 
 and their Eedeemer. But the parts assigned them 
 in the one work are widely diverse, and their sta- 
 iions are fixed at differing epochs in its progresR. 
 Se who toUs with effective force in the quarry, 
 might not be adapted, with careful chisel, to shape 
 md adjust the block to its position in the edifice ; 
 while the man who could perform well the latter 
 service, might stiLl fail in ability to accomplish 
 iie polisher's work. The fathers in the ministiy 
 iid nobly the work of their generation ; they are 
 massing from their toils to theirreward. We may 
 emulate their godly lives and holy zeal ; we may 
 seek to catch their elevated spirit, and take-up 
 iieir felling mantles. But we may not despond, 
 
212 MEMOIR OF 
 
 or impeach the wisdom of the Heavenly Builder, 
 if, in appointing those who shall enter into their 
 labors, He calls men of somewhat modified capar 
 bilities. As wise master-builders, they laid the 
 Ibundation : others build thereon. But let every 
 man take heed how he huild thereupon. 
 
 The writer would not here indulge in the lan- 
 guage of indiscriminate eulogy. The expressed 
 wishes, both living and dying, of the departed ser- 
 vant of God, forbid any tribute to his memory be- 
 yond the plainest statement of facts. It is proper, 
 however, that a brief sketch of the prominent fea- 
 tures in his character should close these pages. 
 
 He was gifted with a powerful physical frame, 
 fitted to endure great hardship. In the early 
 settleinent of Homer, when the settlers reared 
 their log houses, no man was more effective at a 
 " raising" than the " Elder," as he was usually 
 designated. Though his constitution received sev- 
 eral severe shocks from sickness, he continued to 
 possess, almost to the last, extraordinaiy bodily 
 power. Without this, he could never have ac- 
 complished such an amount of labor, amidst the 
 exposures and privations to which he was sub- 
 jected. 
 
 His natural disposition was buoyant and viva^ 
 cious. He walked on the sunny side of life. Hia 
 
- EEV. AIJEED BENNETT. 213 
 
 thotiglits wei-e ordinarily cheerful ; his i 
 frank and 60cial ; his conyersation enlivening and 
 abounding in illnsti-ative anecdote and pithy ex- 
 preBBion, by which hia thoughts would print them- 
 selves deep in the memory of the hearer. This 
 cheerfulness of spirit contributed much to his 
 health and vigor. Obstacles could not daunt him : 
 care did not crush him. 
 
 Unceasing activity was one of his chief charac- 
 teristics. When a pastor, besides the ordinary 
 duties of the Sabbath, he was accustomed during 
 the week to preach in different neighborhoods, 
 wherever a congregation conld be collected ; and 
 his- earnest labors in the ecfaool-houses for miles 
 around are still remembered by many living. 
 " Better wear out than rust out," was his common 
 motto. In his agency he was restless in the pros- 
 ecution of the work befol-e him. The amount of 
 labor performed was immense. His plans were 
 commonly laid with great precision, and it was 
 rarely the time for their execution exceeded that 
 which he bad assigned. And often, while others 
 were considering the obstacles and calculating the 
 consequences, bis energy had already accomplish- 
 ed the work. On his dying bed, reviewing the 
 scenes of his active life, he said, when referring 
 to some who had blamed him for what had seem- 
 
214 MEMOIR 01? 
 
 ed to them over-exertion : " I am not sorry I have 
 tried to work for Jesus, but I wish I had done a 
 great deal moreP 
 
 As a citizen, he was distinguished by an emi- 
 nently public spirit. Though never allowing him- 
 self to be associated with political movements, 
 except on one occasion, which he ever regretted,* 
 he took a deep interest in passing events as affect- 
 ing the welfare of onr country. The prosperity of 
 his own village especially lay near his heart. And 
 though in later life called to visit nearly all parts 
 of the Union, he always returned with apparently 
 increased affection to the scene of his earlier min- 
 istry. No man loved Homer more. As a trustee 
 of the Academy, he was warmly interested in the 
 promotion of its welfare ; and it is not too much to 
 remark that the noble institution there located has 
 found no warmer advocate of its character abroad. 
 
 * He ■\7a3 a candidate for the convention to revise the Consti- 
 tution of the State of New York, in 1821, but the party nomina- 
 ting him was in the minority. He was defeated. He allowed 
 his name to be used by advice of his brethren in the ministry, 
 and otliers wliose judgment he esteemed ; but though it seems 
 in no respect to have injured his ministerial character and useful- 
 ness, maturer reflection led him always to regard it as a mistaken 
 step. His successful competitor was Samuel Nelson, now Judge 
 in the Supreme Court of the United States. 
 
JHETT. 215 
 
 and perhaps to no single citizen, if we except the 
 gentlemen who compose its excellent faculty of 
 instruction, is it more largely indebted for its wide 
 reputation in this and other States. 
 
 He was a liberal man. At the close of his 
 pastoral labors, he found himself worth, by the 
 rise which had taken place in the value of prop- 
 erty, about two thousand dollai's ; and it was his 
 settled principle never to accumidate more than 
 this. His salary when pastor never exceeded four 
 hundred dollai's ; during the larger part of the 
 timej it was only three hundred, and a portion of 
 this was ordinarily paid in produce. He gave 
 largely to objects of benevolence, and the needy 
 always found in him a sympathizing heart and a 
 ready hand to help. For the support of public 
 worship in the church of which he was a member, 
 he was one of the largest conti'ibutors. The com- 
 modious lecture-room connected with their house 
 of worship was erected exclusively at his ex- 
 pense, and by him presented to the society. The 
 tours he toot in his agency usually cost the Mis- 
 sionaiy Union nothing, as he defrayed his own 
 travelling expenses ; and a large sum was annu- 
 ally contriboted from his salary, in addition, to 
 support that sacred cause for which his voice was 
 ever pleading. There was a large-heartedness in 
 
216 MEMOm OF 
 
 al] his pecuniary transactions, wMch evinced al- 
 ways the slight estimate he pnt upon the wealth 
 of this world when compared with treasures laid 
 up in heaven. 
 
 Integrity was a marked trait in him. He did 
 nothing in the dark ; his nature was frank and 
 open. A blunt honesty distinguished hie manner, 
 and so transparent was his life, that even the sus- 
 picion of misdealing could never fasten itself upon 
 him. There was that in his countenance and air 
 — a godly sincerity, devoid of all art and mystery 
 — which bespoke your confidence and command- 
 ed your respect. His was not an intriguing spirit, 
 acting under a mask and seeking sinister ends ; but 
 with a face open as the day, and with a heart out- 
 spoken in words of unmistakable import, he pursued 
 withclear and steady view the noblest objects. Here- 
 in, doubtless, was a main element' of his power. 
 ■ It was a common remark with the imgodly at his 
 death, "Whatever may be true of other Christians, 
 lie was a good man." Men who seldom attended the 
 services of any sanctuaiy, would go when he was 
 announced as the preacher, saying, they liked to 
 hear Father Bennett preach, because they thought 
 he believed what he said. And to the last, few 
 men were able to command so large a cono-reo'a- 
 tion in Homer as the earliest and revered pastor. 
 
EET. ALFEED EBNHBTT, 217 
 
 He was mnch soTiglit as a cdtmfiellor. The 
 younger pastors were wont for many years, in bia 
 later life, to seei his advice ae that of a father. 
 Churches often asked his counsel in eases of diffi- 
 culty, and in the settlement of ministers. In the 
 appointment of agents, the Executive Committee 
 relied much iipon his judgment. He became ear- 
 ly a member of the Foreign Mission Board, in 
 which of&ee he continued until death. He was 
 oi^clally connected as an adviser in most of the 
 benevolent institutions of the Baptist denominaf 
 tioB, At his decease, "he was President of the 
 New Tort Baptist State Convention, and first 
 Vice-President of the New York Baptist TTnion 
 for Ministerial Education. 
 
 His views of the agency were pure and eleva- 
 ted. He regarded the office of agents as essential 
 to the progress of the missionary enterprise. In 
 a letter addressed to Kev. Edward Bright, Home 
 Secretary, April 12, 1850, he says : 
 
 " In all my acquaintance with pastors, church- 
 es, and their collections with and without an 
 agent, for almost eighteen years, I am convinced 
 that travelling agents are indispensable to suc- 
 cess, if much is expected to be gathered. There 
 are pastors who do not need assistance, and 
 would do well if no agent was in the field, some 
 19 
 
218 MEMOIR OF 
 
 of -whoni, however, are always glad to have an 
 agient call on tHem, as it renders their labors 
 lighter. There are good people, also, who would 
 live religion faithfully, if there were no ministers 
 to preach the Gospel, who are stiU very glad to 
 enjoy the ministrations of the Word, because it 
 strengthens them. I deliberately think that 
 agents are about as necessary to success in benev- 
 olent enterprises, as preachers are in church 
 building. But ihey m/ust he good men. An in- 
 different man will do more hurt than good. The 
 reason why we cannot obtain more first-rate men 
 as travelling agents, is because there is not conse- 
 cration enough to the service of God. Jesus 
 Christ went aiout. Paul travelled night and day, 
 and labored in the temple, in the deep, in the 
 wilderness, in the city, and in the country." 
 
 The collection of funds was always with him a 
 secondary object. Speaking of agents as often 
 estimated by the number of dollars and cents 
 they collect, he said : " That was never vaj first 
 object, but to promote a religiotis principle, and 
 instruct the churches in their obligation to keep 
 the commands of Christ, especially to carry out 
 the great commission. I have ever considered 
 myself rather as a pioneer, to break ground and 
 put in the seed for others to hai-vest from ; and if, 
 
EEV. ALFKED BESHETT. 219 
 
 after I am dead, eome good does not resnlt from 
 my labors, it Trill be apparent that I have failed 
 to accomplieh what I intended." With a fixed 
 adherence to this exalted view of his work, he 
 never songht to create a temporary excitement, 
 by appeals to the passionB, for the sake of a lai^ 
 collection ; but his object was to inspire and 
 etrengthen the principles of benevolent action, 
 ' from the high and holy motivea furnished in the 
 Gtospel. Each visit to the chiirehes, thus con- 
 ducted, prepared the way for a heartier welcome 
 and more 'generous contribution on hia return. 
 
 His character as a Christian-,was marked by 
 fixedness of principle. His was no hot-house 
 piety, which flourished only in the heat of a revi- 
 val, but withered and died in the bleak atmos- 
 phere and chilling blasts of a spiritual winter ; 
 but yon saw it as a true plant of Heaven, planted 
 by oiu- Heavenly Pather, growing and blooming 
 at all seasons. He always insisted that the dis- 
 chai'ge of Christian duti^ ought not to be afifect- 
 ed by the fluctuation of mere personal feelings, 
 ibat be guided by fixed religious principle ; and 
 his own earnest, energetic life was a- striking ex- 
 emplification of hia teaching. "For more thatt 
 fifty yeai-s, from that solemn honr when he pub- 
 licly dedicated himself to Christ, till he left the 
 
220 MEMOIE OF 
 
 world, through sunshine and storm, his Christian 
 career was one of steady progress, and his Chris- 
 tian character unstained by any serious blot. 
 Many instances of his faithfulness are related, 
 which illustrate the remark of the wise man, A 
 word s^ohen in due season, how good it is ! One 
 recently reported may perhaps be properly men- 
 tioned here, as an example of many. In' a "West- 
 ern city, a friend took him to a Daguerreotype es- 
 tablishment, to obtain his likeness. As he was 
 passing from the room, a young man who had 
 performed the work, looking at him, -remarked 
 that he had inipressed an exact image of the 
 original. Mr. Bennett, laying his hand upon his 
 shoulder, replied, " True, and may the Saviour's 
 image be impressed on your heart!" The re- 
 mark was forgotten by him who uttered it. But 
 on returning to that city, a few weeks after, hav- 
 ing occasion to visit again the establishment, he 
 found the young- man rejoicing in hope. That 
 word had proved the arrow of conviction to his 
 soul. 
 
 There was, also, a simplicity of faith in God, 
 which preserved him from desponding in regard 
 to the cause of Christ. Though during his earlier 
 years subjected to painful fear respecting his per- 
 sonal salvation, he never doubted the safety of the 
 
EBV. ALPBBD BEHHUIT. 221 
 
 churcli. It was a common remark with Tiim : " I 
 have no doubt that all the sainta will finally reach 
 
 Heaven ; for that is revealed in the Word of God. 
 But I find no statement in it that Alfred Bemiett 
 will get there. Se that overeometh aKaU inherit 
 all thmgs." Li the seasons of affliction through 
 which the church in Homer passed, as well as in 
 the darter providential dispensations which at- 
 tended the missionaiy enterprise, his voice was 
 ^ways heard in tones of cheerful hope. There 
 was a simple-hearted dependence upon God, which 
 at such times banished despair from his own bosom, 
 and seemed to inspire courage and confidence in 
 those associated with him. 
 
 To learning he made no pretensions. The lack 
 of a thorough course of mental training for the 
 ministry was always to him a matter of deep re- 
 gret. His vigorous intellect, however, and strong . 
 powers of observation, made much compensation 
 for this defect; and his extended general Imowl- 
 edge, attained rather from intercourse with men 
 than from books, enriched all his communications, 
 and gave great value to his counsels. A painful 
 sense of his own deficiencies in literary culture, 
 made him for many years past an ardent friend of 
 the cause of educafion, especially as connected 
 with the preparation of the youthfid ministry. 
 19* 
 
222 MEMOIE OF 
 
 His theological tendencies were Oalvinistic ; 
 though, he always preferred that his view of the 
 Gospel should not receive its designation from any 
 name of man. He loved " the old paths ;" the 
 doctrines of gi-ace were so intimately interwoven 
 with his religious experience, that he spoke- of 
 them as " out of the abundance of the heart." He 
 wielded these ponderous weapons of the Gospel 
 with singular power. On the subject of the Atone- 
 ment, he inclined strongly to the views of Andrew 
 Fuller, whose works were always with him a 
 favorite study. Among the theological books in 
 his library, which appear to have been most used, 
 may be mentioned the works of Isaac Backus, 
 Scott, Bunyan, Edwards, and Dr. Hawker, with 
 Hervey's Dialogues, and Buchanan's Missionary 
 Treatises; some of which have now ceased to 
 attract the attention of the religious public. But 
 his chief text-book in theology was the Bible. In 
 the closet or the fields, at the fireside or on the 
 journey, this was his constant companion; and few 
 men have become more familial* with its letter, or 
 more thoroughly imbued with its elevated spirit. 
 
 He was a decided Baptist. The distinctive prin- 
 ciples of his denomination, he regai-ded as consti- 
 tuting an important part of the Gospel, and essen- 
 tial to the ultimate triumph of Christianity in the 
 
SEV. ALFSED BENNETT. 223 
 
 world. He had no fellowship for that sickly, 
 sentimental liberalism, iphich, for the sake of a 
 seeming peace, would modify or even forsake fmi- 
 damental principles of the Groepel. The tendency, 
 now so widely prevalent, to clip and shorten our 
 creed, for the alleged sake of union, met no favor 
 at his hands. He admii-ed and loved a decided, 
 conscientious man, who believes his religions taith 
 based on the Bible, and reverences it as the truth 
 of God; and however far snch an one might dif- 
 fer in conviction from him, he was ready to accord 
 to him the honor of integrity. But of the com- 
 promising trifler in things sacred, who seeks to 
 please men rather than Gk)d, and is ready to barter 
 his convictions and sacrifice truth, for the sake of 
 making his platform square with another's, he was 
 not over tolerant, and his rebukes would commonly 
 be pointed and strong. Yet none could properly 
 charge him with bigotry. The right of private 
 judgment which he claimed for himself, he cheer- 
 fully conceded to others, and ever maintained the 
 moat fraternal intercourse with Christian brethren 
 of other names. During the earlier years of his 
 ministiy in Homer, Christians of the different de- 
 nominations were accustomed to assemble together 
 for social woiship ; and in many precious seasons 
 of revival enjoyed there, some of his choicest co- 
 
224 MEMOIR OF 
 
 laborers, for whom he always retained the warmest 
 affection, were members of the Congregational 
 Church — ^many of whom ascended before him, but 
 some of them remain unto this day. 
 
 He had extraordinary fervor and power in 
 prayer. Though never irreverent in his addresses 
 before the Throne, he spoke as one accustomed to 
 hold communion with God ; and none who listened 
 to his petitions in public could doubt that he en- 
 joyed richly the devotions of th« closet. His heart 
 readily entered into sympathy with the immediate 
 circumstances around him, and the wants and in- 
 terests then pressing he spread out in simple, fer- 
 vent language, and often with overflowing emotion. 
 Few could remain inattentive during his pubKc 
 prayer: its adaptation and earnestness made that 
 exercise, which to many is the most difiiciilt ser- 
 vice of the sanctuary, one of much interest, and 
 not unfrequently of deep feeling. It is related, 
 that, at the designation of Kev. J. "Wade to the 
 Burman Mission, in 1823, the services of which 
 were held at Utica, Mr. Bennett was called to 
 offer the prayer. The Spirit of the Lord seemed 
 to come upon him ; the auditors were borne with 
 him in spirit, as if into the presence of the Throne ; 
 and such was the holy eai'nestness with which he 
 commended the departing missionaries to God, 
 
REV. AT.TTB.mi BBNBEIT. 225 
 
 that all present seemed to feel an assurance of their 
 protection. A gentleman present remarked that 
 lie would insm-e, at half the usual rates, the vessel 
 that hore them ; for it could not he lost while they 
 ■were on hoard. This prayer is still remembered 
 ■with great interest by many who were then pres- 
 ent. At the services at Philadelphia, in 1829, 
 ■when his son Cephas was publicly set apart as 
 missionary to Burmah, it was the father's lot to 
 offer the prayer of consecration. A similar Divine ' 
 influence seems to have been manifest on * this 
 occasion. La the record of the proceedings, pre- 
 served in the public papers of that day, it is said : 
 Mr. Cephas Bennett " was then committed, with 
 his companion, by Alfred Bennett, his father, in 
 an.appeal to God most solemn and affecting, melt- 
 ing eveiy heart and drawing tears from every eye. 
 This part of the scene was of too intense a charac- 
 ter for description either hy the tongue or the pen." 
 These effecte were not produced by studied pie- 
 arrangement, but it was the spontaneous ontgueh- 
 ing of a capacious Boul, in ardent sympathy with 
 the intei'csts of the occasion, accustomed to give 
 expression to its inmost emotions at the Mercy- 
 Seat, and pervaded hy holy influence from on high. 
 Here undoubtedly was one of the chief sources of 
 his strength. He had power ■with God ; and the 
 
226 MEMOIE OF 
 
 GOHviction of this, everywjiere felt, gave him also 
 power with men. 
 
 As a preacher, he was one of a class whose de- 
 pendence on the aid of the Holy Spirit was habit- 
 ual and heartfelt. " Utterance" was sought from 
 God as a matter of high practical moment ; and if 
 he was not "in the spirit" while speaking, no 
 amount of premeditation could supply the lack. 
 This calamity, as he ever deemed it, sometimes 
 befel him : it seemed to paralyze his mental pow- 
 ers, and put him to utter confusion. On some oc- 
 casions of special public interest, he thus suffered 
 from spiritual desertion, and, after ineffectually en- 
 deavoring to unfold his subject, entu-ely failed to 
 present the intended view, and sat down not a little 
 confused and mortified. Ordinarily, however, he 
 was " full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," and spoke 
 the word with power. In seasons of revival, or on 
 public occasions of absorbing religious interest, he 
 would often speak as if in the presence of God, 
 with an overflowing heai't and heavenly fervor, 
 and his auditory, borne with the powerful current 
 of his emotions, would be melted to tears under 
 the affecting exhibitions he gave of the Gospel. 
 His resources were at ready command ; and prob- 
 ably some of the most powerful of his public ef- 
 fctt'ts were made when imexpectedly siunmoned to 
 
EEV, ALFRED BENHEIT. 
 
 preach. This sent iim upon Us knees, and called 
 into action all the powers of his soul. 
 
 In his ordinary ministration he was eminently 
 simple and evangelical. His discourses, though 
 not marked by the grace and finish of scholarship, 
 and, often from necessity, slightly studied, bore 
 the evidence of much biblical knowledge and 
 strong practical sense. They were the outgnsh- 
 ings of a glowing heart and a rich religious expe- 
 rience ; and few ever heard him, in even his most 
 unstudied efforts, without gaining some new con- 
 ceptions of divine truth. There was a fervor and 
 holy unction attending his preaching, which often 
 woke the slumbering conscience and touched the 
 heart, when lofty speculation and mere logical de- 
 duction could have effected nothing ; and the ear- 
 nestness of his appeals forced the conviction upon 
 you that he felt the value of the undying soul, and 
 dwelt in near prospect of the realities of judgment 
 and eternity. Up to his death, there were few 
 pubhc men in his denomination who possessed 
 .more power to command the attention and awaken 
 the holier feelings of the heart among all classes. 
 Others there were whose learning was more varied 
 and profoond, whose diction had more of polish, 
 and whose arguments were arranged with more of 
 logical exactness; but few, if any, had greater 
 
228 MEMOIB OF 
 
 power to move the hearts of the masses, and ani- 
 mate the church of God to high and hdy exer- 
 tion. 
 
 It is chiefly, however, in the character of a de- 
 voted friend and advocate of missions he has been 
 distinguished in public life. He took enlarged 
 and comprehensive views of the design of the 
 Gospel. The world stretched out before him with 
 its wants and woes, and all the sympathies and 
 energies of his capacious soul were enlisted in the 
 work of diffusing abroad God's great remedy. On 
 his dying bed, the conversation once turned on 
 the prospects just opening before him in the eter- 
 nal world ; and his pastor, speaking of the reunion 
 of saints in the presence of Christ, alluded to some 
 with whom he had been familiar, and who had 
 entered into rest before him. He replied : " I do 
 not know that I anticipate greater pleasure in meet- 
 ing them than in mingling with redeemed spirits of 
 converted heathen, for whom I have labored, and 
 whose eternal welfare I have sought." His prayers, 
 as well as his heai'tiest toils, ever contemplated the 
 general diffusion of the religion of Christ over the 
 whole world. And at the last, the spiritual inter- 
 ests of the perishing millions of earth lay near his 
 soul, and the long predicted glories of that ap- 
 
EEV. AUIfEEi) BENNETT. 
 
 proachiiig day, when the knowledge of the Lord 
 shall fill the whole earth, were among the latest 
 thoughts he breathed, and seemed to fill his mind 
 with holy delight. 
 
 But I wiR here paiiae. He has gone from earth 
 and entered t^e presence of God. His venerable 
 form Hes cold in the grave, and the em^icipated 
 spirit, we tniBt, rejoices before the Throne. But, 
 though dead, he yet speaketh. Defects, no doubt, 
 he had, and none were more painfully sensible of 
 it than himself; but a consistent Christian life of 
 half a century, unstained by one dishonorable blot, 
 spent with all the ardor of a powerful mind in self- 
 denying energetic effort for the welfare of others, 
 and closed in peaceful triumph, has a voice full of 
 instraction. It spealts of the power of the Gospel 
 to subdue and sanctify the strongest natural pas- 
 sions, and devote them to the holy work of blessing 
 a perishing world. It utters the high praises of 
 the grace of God, in reclaiming and pardoning one 
 who was once in hitter enmity with Him, and 
 keeping him through strong temptations and fear- 
 ful conflicte safe unto the end. It bids us 'be fol- 
 lowers of Him as he followed Christ, ever toiling, 
 ever trusting, assm'ed that Christian faithfulness 
 is the certain precursor of Christiaa triumph. 
 
230 MEMOIB OF 
 
 The memory of " Father Bennett" will linger 
 long in the hearts of the people of God. Asso- 
 ciated with hallowed recollections of the venerated 
 Kendrick and Peck, and others of kindred spirit, 
 his name will be transmitted to after times as one 
 of the pioneers of the Gospel, and a stalwart de- 
 fender of the truth of God. The sound practical 
 wisdom, the effectual fervent prayer, the holy 
 character, and earnest zeal of these godly men 
 were a tower of strength in the midst of the de- 
 nomination, and as one after another of them has 
 parted from us and gone up into glory, the cry 
 has risen from the bereaved heart of the earthly 
 church : My Father, my Father, the chariot of 
 Israel and the horsemen thereof! They were 
 among the earlier prophets of our people ; 
 
 "holy men, 
 Who lived and -walked with God ;" 
 
 and their power before the Throne, their heaven- 
 directed counsels, and theii" mighty deeds are re- 
 corded, not so miich on the written page as upon 
 the moral enterprises they originated, the sacred 
 institutions they founded and reared, and in the 
 hearts of the people of God. When the scroll of 
 
EBV. ALFRED BEHUBIT. 231 
 
 luBtory, as written in Iieayen, Bhall be imrolled 
 
 before the assembled world in the day of final ad- 
 judication, these servants of God will doubtless be 
 seen conspicuous among the eminent witnesses for 
 the truth and actors in the moral scenes of the past 
 generation. 
 
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 BOWLING'S CONFERENCE HYMNS. 
 
 Plain, 25c. ; gilt, 40c. 
 
 THE LIGHT OE THE WEEK: 
 Or, the Adyantag|s of the Sahbath to the Working Classes. 
 
 A PRIZE ESSAY. 
 Plain, 25c.; cloth, full gilt, 60c. 
 
 PROYIDENCE UNFOLDED. 
 
 BY ALEXANDER CARSON, LL.D. 
 , Plain, 7oc. ; cloth, full gill; $2 00. 
 
 LIFE OF ALEXANDER CARSON, LL.D. 
 
 BY REV. GEO. C. MOORE. 
 Plain, 60c. j cloth, full gilt, $1 50. 
 
 WORDS IN EARNEST. 
 
 AN EXCKlrLENT WORK FOR THE YOUNG. 
 Plain, 75c. ; full gilt, $2 00. 
 
 MEMOIR OF JACOB THOMAS, MISSIONARY TO ASSAM. 
 
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EDWAED H. FLETCHEE, 
 141 ITASSAir-STa T, 
 
 icpi -DTlflBiilly on linnrl d camplels SBSOrllscnt sf HELIf 
 I MJsCELLANEOUa 
 
 Bulnlib nil Siiipiittnnt spihlititiiiiH. 
 
 ALE]; AHBEH. J- W —Tht Ymsg Mm 0/ Ciliia i^gci le 
 
 CARSON 
 
 L L.D., 
 
 Aid 
 
 
 *= Z./S 0/, 
 
 3y U 
 
 V, Go 
 
 
 
 
 riie 
 
 
 
 
 
 " " 
 
 i»- 
 
 !..*«■ 
 
 ofJc^ 
 
 "'™"" 
 
 ="'"' 
 
 ^/« 
 
 S^ 
 
 
 "A etfarn. 
 
 ICU 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 !)•■ 
 
 u"ht,«fcih" 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ofca 
 
 cm lot 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .Hera 
 
 
 
 " WculiI 
 
 ollD 
 
 
 j-penlhiilov 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Trd 
 
 '"'bu^H. 
 
 CfUflVERSATIONAL 
 
 and ile Ants hy Wm llatne, u-ir. 
 CCBBII7, Ingram The 1 Hut listed DomcBUc Bible. 
 CiiEEVEE, D. D., Geo. B.— J PJea /or OJ^Wrm ond Kg OArij- 
 i, D D., John,— A Collpntinn of Hynrns tor ubo in eon- 
 
 The Old-Fuh«mrd Bi6((, or ten tee-ODS Bsninil tin 
 propoi-ea Bay tist > GtEion of Ills New Tnataiiisul. 
 
,-«,r 
 
 EVERTS,, Wra. W.-Tkc Life and Thoughts of John Foster, 
 
 " " The Social Position and Jnjluence of Oitiei, 
 
 " " The Theatre. 
 
 FOSTER, John.— TAfi Spirit of Missions, with an EssavbyUev. 
 J. P. Thompson, pastor of ths Broadway Taberoaclo Church. 
 
 HEAVEN'S ANTIDOTE to the Ourse of Labor, a prize essay 
 
 on the Sabbath. 
 
 HARRIS, Mrs. S.M.— Memoir of Jacob Thomas, missionary to 
 Assam. 
 
 HAGrl^E, D. D., Wm., Conversational ComTneniary od Matthew, 
 
 John and the Acts. 
 
 " " The Duties of Employers and Employed. 
 
 MOORE, Geo, C. — Life of Alexander Oarson, LL. D. 
 
 MATXISOW, H. — The Trihity and Modern Arianism. 
 
 FAINE, Marty n.—r/tc SouZ, Instinct and Life, physiolo^cally 
 distinguished froni Materialism. 
 
 SABBATH ESSAYS; comprisin? the Pearl of Days, Heaven's 
 
 Antitlote, and the Light of the Week. 
 
 THE god' OF PROVIDENCE, the God of the BibU; by 
 
 Alex. Carson. 
 
 THE PEARL OF DATS, by a Laborer's Daughter. 
 
 THE LIG-HT OF THE .WEEK, or the Advantages of the 
 Sabbath to the Working Classes. A prize Essay. 
 
 WILLIAMS, D. D., Win. R., Miscellanies; consi'«tin«r of Dis. 
 courses and Essays. This volume contains the most elaborate 
 and finished nf^Dr, Williams' productions. 
 
 "A volume which is fibsnlutoly necessary to the completeness of a 
 modern library." — tf. Y. Weekly Review. 
 
 " Dr. Williams is a profound scholar and a brilliant writer." — jY.F. 
 Evangelist, 
 
 " ■* * * from the pen of one of the most able and accomplished 
 authors of the a^c." — Bap. Memorial, 
 
 *' We are glad to see this volume. We wish that such men ahound- 
 od in every sent." — Ohn. Register. 
 
 "This volume contains some of the choicest emanations of a mind 
 of the highest order." — I^, Y. Com. Advertiser. 
 
 "This is one of the richest volumes that has been given to the pub- 
 lic for many years." — Pf. Y. Bap. Ren-ister, 
 
 "The author's mrnd is cast in no common mould. ** a delightful 
 volume."— AfctAorfist Protestant. 
 
■■ Dr. W la hds af the leading nilndR ef aar-eqanUf, md Ihia 
 H-ae uiie of IliD ncheat geoii of liieciuura "—Cine Red Giicit, 
 WORDS IN BA.RNSST{ by Revs. T. W. Aleiamlet, W 
 
 S. S. HrMIfS TheBiptislS S. Hymn Book. 
 
 TITBNET, S,iif.E.—TicSi:ripbiralLaiiiitfBitplitni. 
 irOEL. KBr.nndHon B W.—Els:i^ m airiihm Saptlaa, 
 
 BELOHER. Rev. Joseph.— TAi Japliit Pufjifl ■/ U< United 
 
 FISH, Rev U. C— T*c Sspiu! OaltcSi™, in [wo toIi. 
 ARTIOLES OF FAITH u goaerally held by Ihe Biptirt De- 
 
 WHEELOCE, Rev. A — fajilim and tie LoriCi Sap^r. 
 
 !. Basil and Basil Ir.—The Bapltit FimBoJ 
 C nutans tac tba Wscetiip ofGoiI. 
 
 ELAi^S. 
 
 KARRIAOE 
 
 °" """"'"'"^'- PerQu 
 
 LETTERS OF OISMISSIOH OF OHU'RCH 
 
 MEMBERS 50 "t 
 
 LETTERS OF WOTIFIOATIOK OF REOEP- 
 
 TIOW OF MEMBERS. 50 ct 
 
 □ALLS OF COITKOILS 50 el 
 
 ASSOOIATIOWAL LETTBES 60 cl 
 
FOSTER ON MISSIONS. 
 
 WITH 
 
 AN ESSAY ON THK SKEPTICISM OF THE CHURCH 
 BY EEV. JOSEPH P. THOMPSON. 
 
 VASTOB OF THE JBItOADWAY TaBEBNACLB CHUBC^H, 
 
 {From the New York Bvanffeliat.) 
 ThiB esaay of Foster's is one oi the grandest and most eloquent of alt 
 bis writings, the reproduction of which, in this inviting form, will di» 
 sauch good, llie missionary work assumes a dignity and importance, 
 under the glowing tints of his masterly pencil, which ought to shame 
 the languid interest of the cburch', and which very naturaWy and appro- 
 priately suggests Mr. Thompson's preliminary essay on the skepticism 
 of the church. This essay is rery well written, and an impressive prea- 
 entation of the causes and effects of a deficient faith in the promises of 
 God, io respect to the world's conversion. The work is neatly printed, 
 aud we hope will find many readers. 
 
 (Fi'om tJie Neia Yovk Recordsf.y 
 fHiis is the suhstaoce of a discourse preached by its celebrated author, 
 and subsequently prepared by him for the press. It is one of the most 
 able and comprehensive discussions of the subJRct of missioDS that baa 
 ever been written. It contams that remarkable fragment of Foster's, en*- 
 titled " God Invisible," conceived in the very spirit of the old Hebrew 
 prophets. The preKrainary Esaiiy, by Rev. J. P. Thompson, adds to tha 
 value of the original work. 
 
 (^From the Baptist Messenger^ 
 
 John Foster on KlissFons, is all that need be said. To say more, would 
 '^like an attempt to gild the sun. 
 
 (2^'om the CJirUtian Chronicle.) 
 It is one of the gran^st productions of its author, eshibiKng, in n Wgh 
 degreor the comprehensive grasp of thought, the lofty sweep of imagm- 
 fttion, and the rugged and massive stylo which made hira for so many 
 yeura the acknowledged Jupiter Tonajts among English Dissenters, 
 
 PUBLISTIKD BY 
 
 X:i>lVAKD IT. FliETCITEK, 
 
 141 NASSAU STRliET, NEW YORK. 
 
JSHDATIOIIa 
 
 THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS, 
 
 BY SE. CARSON. 
 
 "Ik illustrating thi'a glorious theme the a'llhor'B 
 miiid expands in the lull elrenglh and vig-ssr of i'ji con- 
 eeptiona, and pictures realitiea of Divine -trilii almost 
 too brightly to be beheld with tte eye ef "aia undim- 
 
 " The ppeaer.t volume ('The Knowledge of Jesua') 
 la full of invaluable principlea, cast in an attractive 
 mould. Every page lives with intereat; there ia no- 
 thing dry, nothing, tedious. Its style flows transparent 
 and li^ee as the mountain stream." 
 
 " On matters of church order, it is well known we 
 difier from himj but.as a scholar we honor him — as a 
 Christian brother we embrace Mm, In the ksowledgo 
 of the ptiilosophy of tlie language, lie is far in advance 
 of the present age ; and with reapeot to metaphysical 
 acuteness and powers of reasoning, he has been called 
 'the Jonathan Edivards of the nineteenth century.' 
 His character as a philosophic theologian, -and a pro- 
 found, original, independent tlunker, stands in the vety 
 highest rank; and he is onlj' justly designated, when 
 «illed one of the moat pliilosophic reaaoneraof the prea- 
 ait age." 
 
 """""J H. FLETCHER, Poblisher, 
 
 m Nabbah St., N, T. 
 
ALEXANDER CARSOM, i.ju.u. 
 THE KNOWLEDgFoF JESUS, 
 
 The most Excellent of the Sciences. 
 BY ALEXANDER CARSON, LL.D. 
 
 (^From ike Lutheran Observer.) 
 
 This is a charming book, and we could wish it were iti every Chrietiatt 
 family. The author is a writer of rare merit : learned, philosophic, pro- 
 found, devout, and 'singularly fluent and beautiful in his style. We take 
 great pleasure in recommending it. He has been called "the Jonathan 
 Edwards of the nineteenth century," and those who read this admirable 
 production will not be unwilling to admit his claim to this distinguished 
 compliment. 
 
 (From the Religious Herald, Hartford.') 
 
 This is a book of vigorous thought, deserving of attentive perusal and 
 careful study by ministers and intelligent laymen. It discusses in a con- 
 densed manner the facts respecting God and His government which are 
 presented by nature, and then passes to the more explicit revelation of 
 tho Bible, and shows the identification of the gospel with the divine char- 
 acter, as manifested in the work of redemption tiirough the operation ot 
 the Ti'inity, and its self-evident truth. 
 
 (From tlie Watchman and Befector.) 
 The late Dr. Alexander Carson, of Ireland, possessed an intellect oC 
 , great logicAl power and a heart of warm affections. Hie works are hence 
 characterized by depth and clearness of thought, and by vigor and fervor 
 of expression. His views of the gospel, eis of tiie framework and ordi- 
 nances of the church, arc as luminous as day. The present volume takes 
 rank among the best of the productions of his pen. 
 
 (From the Conffreg'atwnalist.) 
 , Tho work shows ibr itself that It was written by a man of bold and 
 fltrong thought It has np i-eference to the distinguishing docti-fnea of 
 his own denomination, tiiough Dr. Carson has some celebrity for writinga 
 of this class. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 EDWARD n. FLETCHER, 
 
 141 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK, 
 
LIFE OF ALEXANDER CARSON, LL.D. 
 
 BY REV. GEORGE C. MOORE. 
 
 OJ>INIONS or THE PRESS, 
 ' (,Fram l*s Iniiptnieal, Sf. T} 
 Mr. Moore has rendered a good seivicetothe mamory 
 of bia preceptor bj tbig sketch of his private and inward 
 life, and he his rendered nlao a service hardly less valua- 
 ble to Christian truth, and chei Itj. 
 
 <fVsiRilG saigiaas Henld, Bicim/inil, Va) 
 
 This ia an inCeresdng wsfk. Indeed, it could scarcaly 
 
 (ail to be so, ftir its subject was not only one of the moat 
 
 learned and a\Ae theologians of our owq denomination, 
 
 bnt oQO of the great i&en of the present age. 
 
 The biography of that eminent acheUrand divine in a 
 ityle of tiiHisual vivacity and point. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 fDWARD H. FLETCHER, 
 
 IJl NASSAU' STREET, NEW TORK 
 
THE 
 OP THE 
 
 UNITED STATES; 
 
 CONBIBTINO OF ELOCICEHT AND INETHUCTIVZ PASSAGES FBOM 
 THE SERMONS OF 200 BAPTIST MINtSTEBB. 
 
 By JOSEPH BBLCHKR, D. D. 
 
 EMBELLISHED WITH FINE PORTRAITS. 
 
 "^The porteaits are worth more than the cost of the entire work. 
 It cannot be otherwise .han gratiiying to every Baptist, to find 
 that the leading minds of his denomination hold " the truth as 
 it is in Jesus" with such a vigoroas grasp, and commend it to 
 others with bo much p«jwer. The passages are generally Bhort^ 
 but they are pure gold.' — Baptist Messenger, 
 
 " This publication will, we think, prove interesting to Baptists 
 everywhere." — HeligUnM Herald. 
 
 " The selectiona cover the whole range of theology, and the 
 volume will be curious, agreeable and useful." — JV. Y. Recorder. 
 
 "Its editor is a man jf judgment and taste, and of considera- 
 ble distinction as an author ; and as it regards the typography, 
 nothing better ean be asked or expected. The parties have oui 
 best wishes for their encouragement and success. The moral 
 eflect of the publication cannot fail, of course, to be in favor of 
 religion and virtue."— i?i6;ica/ Recorder. 
 
 EDWARD II. FLETCnER, PiiWisIier, 
 
 Ul Nabs^b St., N. TT 
 
DOWLmG>S COSl'EKESCE BIlliVS. 
 
 Th 
 
 
 
 coim 
 
 neudBtlDiuDr Ihis hide Tohime, which haic been r 
 
 eeelTcd. . 
 
 
 enlly adaplod for use in Ihe family, and for pniole (1 
 
 
 To' 
 
 prlOB brines it wilhin the mcanB of nU, and lis large Ij 
 Id afl well as the jounB. 
 
 pe adopts, 
 
 A] 
 
 
 c copy of 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ihorouglily, mid hayo uliown them lo many oHiers 
 
 The univf 
 
 eiprcsalon 13, 'TiilslBjuei Hie Iwok we WBnt in mo Wosl 
 
 
 old,. 
 
 iOUl-cherisheil tevival hymns, which everybody kni 
 
 IWB, BDd 1 
 
 ■wbid 
 
 li everytody is deligliiei!.' The nnied nuluru of 
 
 .or popula 
 
 hero 
 
 renders lidlfflouU Id obtain liymn bonUsH-hich all will lllte. 
 
 
 ittle volume In alniost known to all by h^^i, whether 
 
 
 west. 
 
 north, or soulh The hymns aie Ilioac which almos 
 has learned and loted ; net for lliolr poelic elegance 
 
 I every CI 
 , but for t 
 
 
 andgiiod religious aentlm cut I have also taken u 
 
 
 copies of Ihe Social PEaJmist, the Chnsliau Mcloillal (by 
 
 
 and 1 
 
 Jio Bapnat Harp. These are eencrally very ioolI.I 
 
 nil everyt 
 
 saysDr, DowIinjj'B hymiiE are Ihe cues fcir the Weel louse 
 
 in con fere 
 
 
 , ifllieyariliilrodiKed." 
 
 
 San 
 
 
 '"11 
 
 J>™ Etv. John St. Pect. ^ M<isouT%. 
 
 - 
 
 From the Wfslcrn Ola laliim Journal.- 
 " Hymn hoolts are multiplying, but wo shall he mistaken 'f Ihis dota 
 mlnrovelobeapopjlarcflUcLtion Itcojilains 30) Ijjinis and many 
 of Ifiem Ihe swealcat In li.e Itmgwec," 
 
 EflWAlID M. FtETCJIEil, PnWishcr, 
 
 Wl Naesiu Si , N. ] 
 
THE CONTERSATIONAL COMMENTARY; 
 
 Co:UBINlHO 
 
 THE QUESTION-BOOK AND EXPOSITION> 
 
 DEaiGNED FOR THE UsE OF SAEBaTH-SOHOOLS AND FAMILIES. 
 
 Vol* !■) on Malthewa 
 Vol. Ill, on Jobn. 
 Volf III., on tbe Actg> 
 
 BT WILLIAM HAOTTB. 
 
 '"The plan of Dr. Hague in these several books to meet 
 the wants of the higher classes in Sabbath-schools, we have 
 never seen surpassed nor even equalled by any other authorj 
 S,GCGrding to our taste and judgment."— CAnstow Ckrimicle. 
 
 "' It is a species of Cominentary quite original, combining 
 all the most valuable results of archeological and critical 
 learning, without the lumber and parade which often render 
 the perusal of the ordinary Commentaries and ' notes ' an 
 onerous and unwelcome task. Mr. Hagne's plan renders 
 everything clear, impressive, and practical, so that the mind 
 is held, by an increasing interest, to those truths which are 
 most important to be remembered." — Weslem Waickman. 
 
 " The method of imparting instruction in this book is a 
 novel but happy o«e. The author remarks In his prefiice, 
 ' The teacher who would give instruction in any department 
 ef knowledge so as to awaken in his scholar a spirit of in- 
 quiry, cannot easily satisfy himself with abrupt and insu- 
 lated questions ; in order to arouse the mitid to action and 
 bring, himself into sympathy \\ith it, ho must comnutnicale 
 soBietUing. The remark which imparls knowledge, quickens 
 thought, and then conversation proceeds witlj a rational and 
 easy flow.' " — Michigan Christian Herald. 
 
 Published by EDWARD H. FLETCHER, 
 Ml Nassau Stbekt, New York, 
 
BAPTIST SCEIPTtJRAL CATECHISM 
 
 S REMINGTON, 
 
 Samoa St. 
 
 Bap. Ch 
 
 " 
 
 JOHN COWLING, " 
 
 pmadwaj 
 
 
 
 W S CLAPP, 
 
 
 
 
 LEVI PARMELY, " 
 
 Slilloh 
 
 
 
 A. D GILLETTE, ' 
 
 Eleventh 
 
 
 n ladclpha. 
 
 R-T.MIDDLEDITCH,' 
 
 
 
 Ljons FaimB, N 
 
 
 
 
 Morretown, •' 
 
 DAVID B. sroiiT, ■ 
 
 Finit 
 
 
 Mddlelovm, "^ 
 
 WM e. TURTON, ' 
 
 
 
 
 J,M CARPENTER, 
 
 
 
 Pen AmboT ■ 
 ; Schoole> B , 
 
 JOHN TEASDALB, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 D. HENRY MILLER, 
 
 Ml. Olivet 
 
 
 Yonkere, N. 1 
 
 SAMUEL WHITE, 
 
 Fim 
 
 
 Slalen Island, " 
 
 
 
 
 PoIIJerris, '• 
 
 C. A. GUCKBEE, 
 
 
 
 
 L QilENELL,M]ssi 
 
 mryloColifor 
 
 
 
 Tliefir»[voLumGiBd=Bie 
 
 
 ngerme 
 
 mtereofihesabba 
 
 School, nnd the lansmge J 
 
 simple ond pi 
 
 u, Pn 
 
 eCOotB pfrdraen 
 
 Vnlumo second is for 11 
 
 GQ more niisn 
 
 
 
 thedociclnwandevWEiic 
 
 E orChriBlian^I 
 
 . Price 
 
 SI aOcte per dozen. 
 
 EDMRD H. PLETCKER 
 
 Publislier, 
 
 
 
 141 
 
 >)*s»a«st,n, ir 
 
CHEAP CASH BOOK STORE. 
 
 EDWARD H. FLETCHER, 
 
 Koi HI IVassau street, 
 
 NEW YORK. 
 
 Has constantly on hand, at wholesale and retail, a general 
 assortment of Theological, Classical, Miscellaneous, School 
 and Blank Books and Slaiionery. 
 
 A complete Depository of Sabbath School Books. 
 
 Booksellers, Traders, Teachers, Schools, Academies and 
 Individuals supplied, wholesale and retail, on the most lib- 
 eral terms. 
 
 Religious books of every variety which are to be found 
 in the market, may be obtained here at the very lowest 
 prices, 
 
 SEGOND-nANB BOOKS. 
 
 Valuable Standard Theological and other Books from 
 private libraries will be sold at a fraction of the price of 
 neW. ' 
 
 MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES. 
 
 A new and beautiful article, with u sUvor border, sam- 
 ples of which will be sent gratis to post-paid applications. 
 Published by 
 
 EDWARD H. FLETCHER, 
 
 No. 141 Nassau strett. 
 
saQQaaaa 
 
 The copartnerahip heretofore eiiating between the Sub- 
 flcribera, under tlie firm of LEWIS COLBY & COM- 
 PANY, is thia day dissolved by mutual consent. All ao- 
 couBla will be Bottled by Lewia Colby, who 19 authorized 
 to use the name of the firm in liquidation. 
 
 LEWIS COLBY. 
 EDWARD H. FLETCHER, 
 New Yorx, September Slh, 1348. 
 
 CIKCULAE. 
 
 The subscribor reBpectfully announcea to his friends ai 
 
 the public that he has opened -a store at 141 Nassau slret., 
 
 , where he will continue the same hna of the BOOKSELL- 
 
 inGand PUBLISHING husinees which haa been 
 
 d by h loie firm. 
 
 I been re^larly bred to the business, added to 
 
 wh hi h 9 experience m the late concem Jroira its com- 
 
 m en he feels confident that he can oiier to his patrons 
 
 d g us terms. 
 
 Th p mary objectof this establishment will bethe pub- 
 li d sale of Religious Books. 
 
 A 1 assortment of Sabbath Sohoal Books will be 
 
 k p do this department much attention will be paid 
 If Sabbath Schools, wishing to replenish their libiaiies, 
 10 purchase new ones, will forward their funds, and a He 
 jf such books as they already have, their orders will re 
 ;eive prompt attcntioi^ and the selection will be carefully 
 
 PosEiOH Books imported, for a small oommission. 
 J^ A hbeml discount will bs made la BookselleiH, 
 Ministers, and Teachers. 
 
 EDWARD H. FLETCHER. 
 Nea Vark, Seplaabcr 23d, lB4e. 
 
DOWLIWS CONFERENCE HYMNS. 
 
 The publislier bisgB leave to submit a few of the many unsolicited recommendatisna 
 »f this litMe volume, Which have been received. It is eminently adapted for use in th« 
 family and for private devotion. The low price brings it within the means of all, and 
 Ite large type adapts it to the old as well as the young. 
 
 A prominfent pastor in Illinois writes: 
 
 " I received the copy of Dr. Bowling's hymns, which you sent me some time ago. 
 I have examined them thoroughly, and have shown them to 'many others. The uni- 
 versal expression ie, " This is just the book we want in the West, Here are the old, 
 Eoul-chenslied, revival hymns, which every body knows and with which every body 
 is 'delighted." The mixed nature of our population here renders it difficult to obtaia 
 hymn books Which all will like. But this little volume is almost known to all by 
 heart, whether from the e^^t, west, north, or south. The hymns arc those which al- 
 most every Christian has learned and loved ; not for their noetic elegance, but for their 
 spirit and good, religious' sentiment. I have also ta4cen pains to obtain copies of the 
 Social Psalmist, the Christian Melodist (by Br. Banvard), and the Baptist Hai'p. These 
 are generally very good, but every body says Dr. Bowling's hynins are the ones for the 
 West to use in conference, prayer, and inquiry meetings. Thousands of them caa 
 be sold in this State, if they are introduced." 
 
 A pastor in Mississippi 
 
 " Duncan's criticism in the South-western Baptist Chronicie will npt Injure U much. 
 We want deep deVotional sentiment, that is soul-stirring and animating to the Chris- 
 tian, rather than rigid poetical merit." 
 
 iFTom Rev. John M. Peck of Missourtl 
 " It Is exactly such a book as thousands want and will buy in these great centnl 
 States." 
 
 [Prom the Vermont Gazette.^ 
 This work is designed especially to meet a want existing in the Baptist denomina- 
 tion. The high literary character of the author is a sure guarantee m this respect 
 But, afl:er all, it is not so much finely-finished sentences as soul-stirring tnUhs, 
 hymned by warm hearts, that impart to the social interview its greatest zest. 
 
 [From the Michigan Christian H^tdd.'X 
 From a hasty examination, we should think thju Mr. Dowling had executed tlie work 
 in a judicious manner. 
 
 [From the Baptist Memorial, New Torh-~E. Hutchinson, Editor.} 
 * The people generally will say — give us the old-fashioned hymns, if the poetry isnot 
 quite as good ; while some critics will think otherwise. Most of the hymns, are, how- 
 ever, unobjectionable in respect to poetic merit." 
 
 [From the Western Christian Journal, Columlms, Ohio.} 
 " Hymn books are multiplying, but we shall ba mistaken if this does not prove to bt 
 a popular collection. It contains 360 hymns, and many of'Uiem the sweetest in tha 
 language." 
 
 XFrmn the Christian Secretary, Harffbrd, C(.] 
 "We can cheerfully commend this little book to the churches as being pre-cmi- 
 DAOtly adapted to llic purposes for which it is designed." 
 
 [From the Religious Ilrrald, Raleigh, N. C.—T. Meredith, Editor.} 
 " A few of the hymns bear the signature of the Compiler, and are creditable DrO' 
 ductiona." ^ 
 
 BOWARD H. FLiBTCHKR, PubUshor, 
 
 141 Nassau Sthbbt, N. Y, 
 
^CONVERSATIONAL COMMENTARY,!, 
 
 QUESTION-BOOK AKD EXPOSITION. 
 
 BIBLE GLASSES, SABBATH SCHOOLS, AI4D FADIILIES. 
 
 OOSFIX ACCOBDING TO LUIIKEW. 
 
 7ILLIAM HAGUi 
 
 ,NEW YORK: 
 
 SDWARD H. FLETCHER. 
 
 1851. 
 
THE 
 
 BAPTIST 
 
 SCRI-PTUEAL CATECHISM. 
 
 FOR THE USE OP SABBATH SCHOOLS 
 AND BIBLE CLASSES. 
 
 VOLUME IL 
 
 ON THE EVIDENCES AND DOCTBINES OF CHBISTL&NITT. 
 
 FOR THE MORE ADVANCED MEMBERS OF SABBATH 
 SCHOOLS, AND FOR BIBLE CLASSES. 
 
 BY HENKY C. FISH, 
 Pastor of the Baptist Church, SomerriUe, N. J. 
 
 Te shall lay op these my words in your heart, and in your souL 
 
 Dbut. zi. 18. 
 The word have I hid in mine heart — Fs. cziz. II. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 EDWARD H. FLETCHER, 
 
 Ul NASSAU STREET. 
 
 1850. 
 
BAPTIST 
 SCRIPTURAL CATECHISM. 
 
 FOR THE rSE OF SAGCATU SCHOOLS AND BIBLE CLASSES. 
 
 V O t U M B I . 
 
 BY HEMRY 0. FIBH, 
 Paslororiho BapUsl Chureb, SomenillB, N. J. 
 
 This little volume is designed for tlie younger inembera 
 in o«r Sabballi Schools, and will prepare the way for liie 
 Iprofitable use of that which aiicceeda it, or Tolame II., oo 
 ihe Evidences and Doctiines of Chiistianity. 
 
 Studious regard has been had to plainness and simplicity ; 
 as also to brevity in the answers which the pupil is to com- 
 mit to memory — a feature in which many question books for 
 children aie sadly deficient 
 
 ■ It has been the aim of the Author to present truth in an 
 attractive and pleasing form, in order that the child may ac- 
 quiie a fondness for tlie study of the Sciiptures, and be led to 
 stoie his mind with that knowledge which is able to make 
 him wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Cbiist 
 Jesus. 
 
 " Plainness, simplicity and brevity aie the characteristics 
 ofthis Catechism, which, from a hasty exammation, we Lbinfc 
 IB avprv oTiod one." — Christian Secretary. 
 
 7 'CHER, Pnbliafier, 
 
 Nassaii Street, N. 7. 
 
THE BAPTIST SCRIPTURAL CATECHISM. 
 
 Having examined the Baptist Scriptural Catechism prepared by Rev. H. C. Fiai 
 we cordially recommend it to the churches, believing it to possess peculiar exc( 
 lences ; among which may be mentioned especially the following ; 
 
 1. It is based upon the catechetical plan of instruction. 
 
 2. The general use of Scriptural language in the answers. 
 
 3. An important peculiarity of this work is, that it contains an extended examini 
 tlon of the evidences of Christianity — a department of bibhcal instruction which hi 
 been too much neglected. 
 
 We earnestly hope that it may be generally adopted by our Sabbath Schools. 
 
 Pastor of the First Baptist Church, New Vork. 
 
 " " Stanton-St. Bap. Church, « 
 
 " " Broadway " " " 
 
 " " Olive Branch " " " 
 
 " " Shiloh " " " 
 
 " " Eleventh " " Philadelphia. 
 
 " Bap. Church, Lyons Forms, 
 
 " " " Morristo^vn, 
 
 N.Ji 
 
 S. H. CONE, 
 
 S. REMINGTON, " 
 
 JOHN DOWLING, " 
 
 W. S. CLAPP, " 
 
 LEVI PARMELY, " 
 
 A. D. GILLETTE, " 
 
 R. T. MIDDLEDITCH, " 
 
 WI\I. B. TOLAN, " 
 
 DAVID B. STOUT, " 
 
 WM. H. TURTON, ' 
 
 J. M. CARPENTER, " 
 
 JOHN TEASDALE, " 
 
 II. V. JONF.S, « 
 
 D. HENRY MILLER, " 
 
 SAMllF.r, WHITE, 
 
 D. F. LEACH, " 
 
 C. A. liUCKBEE, " 
 
 L. O. TiRENELL, Missionnry to California. 
 
 The first volumi' is designed for the younger members of the Sabbath School, an( 
 till' lnn!;u;i,r;(' is eimpio and plain. Price GO cts. per dozen. 
 
 Viiliimo Bi'iond is for those more advanced, and contains a review of thedoctrimi 
 anil evidences of Chrislinnily. Price S1.20 per doz. 
 
 EDWARD H. FliETC'HER, Publisher, 
 
 HI Nassau Street, N, Y.j 
 
 First 
 
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 Jliddletown, " 
 
 
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 ElizabethtowD, " "1 
 
 
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 Perth Amboy, N. JL 
 
 
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 Schooley'sMount'n, " 
 
 
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 Piscataway, " 
 
 Mt. Olivot 
 
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 Yonkere, N. Yj 
 
 First 
 
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 Staten Island, " 
 
 
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 Port Jervis, " 
 
 
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 Conway, Mass. "