of my early days will be associated with me in the most exalted of all studies and pursuits.'

The work alluded to of his correspondent was an answer to Dr. Miller's Letters on Episcopacy: it appeared in the course of the following year, just before his taking Orders, and by the ability it displayed, excited high hopes of the author's future eminence. Eheu! quantum mutatus ab illo,' &c.

The following letter to the same individual, from another mutual friend, will show, however, that Mr. Hobart was not alone in his estimate of Mr. How's character.

FROM MR. C. F. MERCER TO MR. T. Y. HOW.

'January 31st, 1805.

I write, my dear How, under an uncertainty whether my letter will find you in New-York, or have to follow you in an American or European tour; but I thank God that your health continues to mend. Your country, equally with your friends, has an interest in your recovery. I am impatient, my dear How, to see you enter on the stage of public life, and to witness the exertion of the rich talents which nature has given you, and which you have so highly cultivated. I have no doubt myself, but that a sense of public usefulness would contribute more effectually to your perfect recovery than the whole "materia medica." Next to this moral remedy, the plan you have adopted seems to be best; it is, moreover, calculated yet further to extend your information, and to enlarge the field of your imagination. How I should delight to accompany you on your travels, to gather instruction from the clearness and force of your conceptions-to listen to your manly, nervous eloquence, but more, indeed, to share in your affection to participate in your cares and your enjoyments-to nurse you in sickness, and endeavour, by the tenderest sympathy, to dispel from your bosom the sorrow which appears to consume

you.

Tell Hobart I shall not believe he remembers me unless he writes to me. You may, however, venture to give my love to him, and especially to Mrs. Hobart. Let us endeavour, my dear How, to make our correspondence less irregular, and while we complain of the selfishness of mankind, contribute by our letters

to atone for it. Farewell, my dear How; remember me to Mrs Hobart. Kiss my little goddaughter for me, and believe me yet among the tenderest and most faithful of your friends.

CHARLES F. MERCER.'

The mention of his 'manly, nervous eloquence,' recalls to recollection, that to its incidental display in youth, Mr. How had become indebted for the peculiar patronage, which he for several years enjoyed, of one of the greatest men of our age and country, himself the model of the purest eloquence-Alexander Hamilton. The circumstance was as follows. About the year 1800, when political disputes ran high in the city of New-York, and public meetings were marked by great excitement, General Hamilton was one evening present on a public call of that sort, in which he addressed the assembled multitude with more than his usual ability, but not his usual success, for the popular tide was beginning to turn, or rather was already running, strong against the old federal party.

At this moment, a young man, whom none knew, arose to address the assembly. His voice had that depth of tone which immediately arrests the attention: his figure for a youth was commanding, his manner grave, his words slow and weighty, and his reasoning clear, close, and logical. He spoke well and boldly, though on the failing side. When he had concluded, amid many applauding inquiries who he was, and where he came from, he retired.

The next day, General Hamilton took pains to discover his nameless young advocate: traced him out, introduced himself to him, and finding him recently from college, received him as a law student into his office, and procured for him, shortly after, an honourable though nominal rank in the army. This was Mr. Hobart's friend, Thomas Y. How.

CHAPTER VIII.

From 1806 to 1810-31st to 35th year of his age.

Ministerial Education-Protestant Episcopal Theological Society -Character and Influence- Churchman's Magazine,' establishment-Principles-Mr. Hobart's Habits of BusinessChurch Music-Mr. Hobart's Love of Music-Affairs of the College-Election of Dr. Mason as Provost - Bible and Common Prayer-book Society--Objects-Earliest Sermon published of Mr. Hobart, 'The Excellence of the Church Examination of its Principles.

BUT while thus labouring for the edification of the Church, in what may be termed its outworks, Mr. Hobart felt that the corner-stone of its citadel was yet to be laid within, by some adequate provision for the education of its clergy. As yet, in truth there was none. The Canons of the General Church (1804) had, indeed, provided for the examination of the candidate, but not at all for his instruction: and how, indeed, could they, without having any thing at their disposal; without books or teachers, and without funds to provide either the one or the other. The divinity student in our Church was, therefore, thrown, necessarily and altogether, upon his own resources, and, mainly, his own judgment. With a few general directions, furnished by the Canons, he was left to grope his way vaguely, if not blindly, through the most voluminous, intricate, and perplexing of all professional studies, without aid or guidance beyond the casual counsel of some friendly parochial minister, who certainly could not have the leisure, and most probably had not the ability to solve the doubts by which the conscientious student must on these subjects be daily arrested, or determine his choice amid conflicting authorities.

In this state of utter destitution, to do any thing for the student was to do much. Mr. Hobart did all that at this period could be done. He planned and organized a clerical association under the title of The Protestant Episcopal Theological Society,' with a view, as stated by its constitution, 'to the advancement of its youthful members in theological knowledge, in practical piety, and in all those principles, duties, and dispositions, which may fit them for becoming orthodox, evangelical, and faithful ministers of the Protestant Episcopal Church.'

This plan took effect in the year 1806, and, however feeble in its means, is yet to be considered as the germ of the noblest existing institution of our Church-its 'General Theological Seminary,' an institution which now bids fair to realize what could then be seen only afar off, an adequate supply to the Church of a well-trained and learned, as well as a pious and spiritual ministry.

Of this association the meetings were held weekly, under the guidance of a presiding clergyman, with the approbation of the Bishop.

'Many,' says one, whose theological education was mainly derived from it, 'look back with gratitude to the helps and advantages which it afforded them, and some, perhaps, may number it among the means by which they have been raised in the Church to usefulness, respectability, and honour".

The constitution, with the rules for the regulation and government of the Society, were drawn up by Mr. Hobart, and the prescribed forms of devotion, which were also compiled or composed by him, 'were,' to borrow the language of the authority above quoted, 'so beautiful, appropriate, and impressive, that, as they were never joined in without emotion, so, I think, they cannot be read without admiration.' Let those (his present biographer would add) who have been accustomed to regard Bishop Hobart as a formalist in religion, see how that impression

a Berrian, Narrative, p. 18.

tallies with the following sentiments and language. Among the prescribed duties of the presiding clergyman, it was his part to impress on the members the usefulness, the dignity, and the high consolations and rewards of the Christian ministry; to enforce the necessity and duty of acting at all times with that circumspection and propriety which were demanded equally by their Christian obligations, and by the sacred profession which it was their intention to assume; to urge them to acquire and to cherish a practical view of the exalted plan of salvation through JESUS CHRIST; its conditions, its aids, and rewards, in order that they might be fitted in after-life for proclaiming and enforcing them with suitable fidelity and zeal; to explain to them the excellence of that apostolic and primitive Church to which they had the happiness to belong; and above all, to impress on them, that as they could hope for salvation only through the merits of their Lord and Redeemer JESUS CHRIST, they should be frequent and earnest in invoking the grace of GoD, to enlighten and purify their hearts, to strengthen them against the temptations of the world, and to enable them to discharge the public duties of the ministry as well as the private duties of the Christian life".

In the Office of Devotion, opening the business of each meeting, we find the following appropriate prayer:

ALMIGHTY GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee, grant us the aids of thy heavenly grace in the important duties in which we are now to be engaged.

Blessed be thy holy name that thou hast inspired these young persons with the resolution to devote themselves to thee in the sacred ministry of the Church. Aid them, O LORD, in their preparation for this most important and honourable work. Open to their minds the treasures of thy everlasting Gospel. Imprint on their hearts the great truths of salvation, through thy Son JESUS CHRIST. May they in all their studies and in all their exercises, be diligent, zealous, and faithful; may they aim at ad