faithful portraiture of the character he has undertaken to delineate.

With these views, the Memoir, which has been delayed much beyond the compiler's intentions, partly by unavoidable engagements, but chiefly by his ill health, is offered to the Christian public; with the hope that it may perpetuate the influence of its lamented subject, and thus prove instrumental in advancing the sacred cause to which his life was devoted.

Braintree, March 22, 1837.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Biographical sketch of Hon. Thomas Porter,

CHAPTER II.

LIFE OF EBENEZER PORTER.

Birth-Childhood-Classical education-Profession of religion-Theo-

logical studies and license to preach-Calls to several places-

Ordination at Washington-Marriage,

CHAPTER III.

Settled purpose of continuing in Washington-Pastoral labors and their

effects-Meeting-house burned-Another erected-Instruction of

theological students-Health impaired by labors-Deficiency in

salary-Correspondence on the subject-Council called-Address

from young men—
-Meeting of council and result-Services desired

at other places-His feelings-Elected a member of C. A. S.-

Elected a trustee of Conn. Mis. Soc.-Attends Gen. Assembly Pres.

Church-Invitation to Dutch Church at Albany-Request to preach

election sermon,

CHAPTER IV.

Appointment at Andover-Reasons for and against accepting-Com-

munication to his church and society-Meeting of consociation-

Dissolution of pastoral relation-Answer to trustees-Inaugura-

tion,

CHAPTER V.

Enters on his labors-Receives degree of D. D.-Doubts about ac-

cepting it-Elected President of University of Vermont-Answer-

Finds the northern winter unfavorable to his health-Seeks a

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southern climate-Effect on health-Employment while absent-

Returning, attends Gen. Assembly of Pres. Church-Appointed

Prof. of Divinity in Yale College-Answer,

CHAPTER VI.

Illness-Consulted respecting presidency of Hamilton and Middlebury

Colleges-Appointed President of University of Georgia-Answer

-Consulted respecting pastorship of Presbyterian church in Colum-

bia, S. C.-Voyage to Charleston-Journal-Efforts to raise funds

for indigent students-Meets President Brown-Casualty-Return

to Andover-Consulted respecting presidency of South Carolina

College,

CHAPTER VII.

Voyage to Baltimore-Letters-Voyage to Charleston-Memoranda-

Returning, attends General Assembly-Consulted respecting pres-

idency of Dartmouth College,

CHAPTER VIII.

Contemplates going to Europe-Communication to trustees-Varies his

determination and goes to Havana and New Orleans-Letters-

Memorandum returning-Salutary effect on his health, .

CHAPTER IX.

Appointed President of Theological Seminary-Answer-Increase of

labors Thinks of retiring from the Seminary-Requests leave of

absence-Embarks for Charleston-Letter to Mrs. P.-Proceeds

to St. Augustine-Letter to a friend in his family-Letter to a

colleague-Letter to Mrs. P.-Return to Charleston-Thinks of

going to Europe-Plan for the summer-Reflections on leaving

Charleston,

CHAPTER X.

Resigns professorship of Sacred Rhetoric-Embarks for Charleston,

accompanied by Mrs. Porter-Proceeds to Walterboro' and Colum-

bia-Delivers course of lectures in Theological Seminary at C.-

Return to Andover-Health but little improved-Again advised to

go south-Resolves to remain in Andover-Sickness and death of

his niece-His letter to her parents-His own sickness and death-

Funeral-Nature of his disorder,

130

CHAPTER XI.

INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.

Intellectual endowments happily proportioned-Effect of infirmities on

his intellectual habits-Mental characteristics-Eminently qualified

to act as umpire in cases of difficulty-Mode of preparing to write

-Qualities as a writer-Feeling of responsibility as a literary

man-Letter to Robert Hall,

CHAPTER XII.

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.

Remarks-Reason why Dr. Porter kept no diary—Resolutions-Means

of growth in piety-Systematic in cultivating spiritual feelings-

Characteristics of his piety-Faithfulness in discharging duty;

illustrations-Qualifications as a counselor and reprover-Letter-

Susceptibility of enjoyment heightened by piety-Testimony of his

colleagues-Concluding remarks,

CHAPTER XIII.

PROFESSIONAL CHARACTER.

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Ministerial character. Theological studies-Settlement at Washing-

ton-First efforts directed to improvement of the young-Instruc-

tions respecting parental duties-Catechetical instruction-Results

-Estimate of maternal influence-Reliance on doctrinal instruc-

tion-On activity in doing good to promote growth in piety-Mode

of preaching-Efforts in training his vocal powers-Pastoral labors

-Revival.- -Studies - Desire of improvement-Observance of

propriety in public religious services-Concern respecting reputa-

tion-Activity-Solicitude for the purity of the church-Theological

views-Letters to Dr. Tyler-Extracts from Letter on Revivals, . 191

CHAPTER XIV.

Characteristics as a teacher in a theological seminary-Views of adequate

training for the Christian ministry-Of the labors and responsibility

of his department-Disadvantages under which he prosecuted study

-Habits of exercise-Intercourse with his pupils-Mode of giving

instruction-Estimate of a good delivery-Theory respecting vocal

tones and inflections-Letter from one of his pupils,

CHAPTER XV.

Characteristics as a presiding officer of a theological seminary-Testimony

of his colleagues-First object to promote the growth of piety in his

pupils Views of its importance-Memoranda of pastoral conversa-

tions-His interests identified with those of the seminary-Anxiety

that theological education should be thorough-Concern respecting

the rights of Congregational churches-Illustrations of their corporate

capacity,

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