tion; the most important one of which no doubt was, that he felt himself at that time bound to the Theological Seminary. Subsequently, however, as appears from the preceding letter, his views of duty on this subject gradually underwent a change; and after he had temporarily intermitted his labors at the seminary that he might devote himself solely to the interests of the congregation, and after they had extended their call to several distinguished individuals, and in each case had received a negative answer, they unanimously renewed their call to him, Feb. 1, 1811, under circumstances which led him to think that possibly the indications of Providence were in favor of his acceptance of it. Almost immediately after this became known to the students of the institution, they addressed him the following letter, expressive of their warm attachment, and of their strong desire that he might retain his connexion with the seminary.

Divinity College, March 28th, 1811. REV. AND DEAR SIR:

We have been informed that you find it impracticable to discharge the duties of your professorship in this institution, and those which result from your connexion with the church and congregation in Boston. We have also been informed, that they have recently given you a unanimous and pressing call, to become their pastor. And apprehending that, from these conflicting claims, there is a possibility of your dissolving the connexion which you sustain with this institution; we take the liberty, Dear Sir, to express to you our feelings and wishes on this subject. Although we feel deeply concerned in the interests of that congregation, and view its prosperity of great importance, still, in our estimation, the religious interests connected with this seminary, are of such an extent,

as to furnish a superior claim to your attention and services. We are impressed, Sir, with the belief that, should you leave us, our loss would be great, if not irreparable. Under the influence of these considerations, we earnestly request you, for our personal benefit, for the general good of this sacred institution, and for the momentous interests of the church, to continue the relation which you sustain to us. Be assured, Sir, that we shall feel it a great privation, to lose the privilege of looking to you, in connexion with your colleagues, as our father and our friend.

Presuming that you will take into due consideration these our unanimous suggestions, and wishing you the best consolations which religion affords, we subscribe ourselves in behalf of our brethren, your obedient servants

Your affectionate letter gave me all the pleasure which you intended. I am gratified to find that my official services are regarded with so much kindness by the members of the college; and am affected with the obliging expression of their wishes for my happiness. I thank you, Gentlemen, for the delicate manner in which these sentiments have been conveyed to me; and, through you, I present my acknowledgments to all the young gentlemen of the Institution. The confidence and the wishes which they have expressed are certainly entitled to much attention, and will be duly considered in the estimate of reasons which are to influence my decision. Under the pressing and contending claims of the two objects, I feel it my duty to ask them to carry the subject to the throne Vol. I.

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of grace, and to be earnest in their supplications that I may know the will of God. If the result should not be such as they desire, it will be owing to the necessities of an important church, and not to any indifference to their improvement and happiness. I am, gentlemen,

Very affectionately yours,

E. D. GRIFFIN.

In a letter to Doctor RICHARDS, dated April 16, 1811, Dr. G. writes thus:-"Since I wrote last I have learned that the young men in the college have unanimously, as they state, made an address to Mr. BARTLETT, praying him to press me still further to continue here. The feelings of the young men, and the friendship of Mr. BARTLETT, have produced some conflict in my mind; but I still believe that the providence of God points me to Boston." Accordingly, in a communication dated May 1, he signified his acceptance of the call, and was installed pastor of the church, July 31, 1811, by an ecclesiastical council of Congregational ministers and delegates from the vicinity of Boston; having previously received a dismission from the Presbytery to which he belonged, and a recommendation to the Union Association of Boston and vicinity. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr. WORCESTER, of Salem.

The following letter to his brother, GEORGE GRIFFIN, Esq. shows what were the prevailing considerations that influenced him in his ultimate removal from Andover to Boston.

DEAR BROTHER,

Boston, April 29th, 1811.

After being tossed for two years, and kept in a state of restlessness, without a home, and crushed with the cares of Andover and Boston united, I have at last found a home, a place of rest, as far as this world can afford one. I have resigned my office at Andover, and am here with my family. On the first day of May I expect to move into a pleasant house, in a delightful part of the town.

Such were the perishing necessities of this congregation, which presents a stand the most important, as has repeatedly been said, of any in Christendom, that the friends of the college are not displeased with the step I have taken. The young gentlemen in the college, of which there are about 50, made a strong effort to retain me. They presented to me an affectionate and "unanimous" address, requesting me to stay: and not content with this, they wrote to Mr. Bartlett, requesting him to use further exertions for the purpose. But they submit without any hard thoughts since they know my determination. I left Andover last week.

This congregation were pressed with a debt of about $30,000, which they had contracted for their house. They could not sell their pews, for want of a minister; and they could not much longer bear up under the debt. They were discouraged by repeated disappointments in their attempts to obtain a pastor, and were determined to look no further. If I did not come, they declared that they must sell their house, and disband: and the fall of this congregation would have spread destruction far and wide. But if I would come, individuals stood ready to assume the debt, and secure the meeting-house, which was mortgaged, from hazard of being sold to Socini

ans.

This has been done. The debt is discharged; and the congregation is in a fair way to live and increase. The house is thronged on Sabbath evening. If God be for us, who can be against us?

Last fall and winter the enemy did all in their power to destroy the congregation and me. But, blessed be God! we yet

live, and live uninjured. The storm is past, and the tide seems now to be strongly turning in our favor. We feel no alarm. What trials may await us we leave to God, who, as he has done, can carry us safely through; and he can bring us to his heavenly kingdom. Fanny and the children are well, and join me in love to you and yours.

Your affectionate brother,

E. D. GRIFFIN.

TO THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS.

Boston, Sept. 14th, 1811.

God is appearing for brother Huntington's support. There is evidently a work of grace beginning among his people. His old praying women, who belonged to Whitefield's day, say that so good appearances have not been seen in Boston since 1771. But our church is still dead, and still looking to an arm of flesh. We have not got enough yet. We shall have to receive more scourging before we shall be fit for any work. Of all creatures, some of us seemed the most unlikely to be selected to make such a stand in Boston. Whether the selection was of God or man, time must determine. Pray for us. E. D. G.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

TO THE SAME.

Boston, April 22d, 1812.

Your favor of Feb. 3d has lain by me a long time, for reasons that every minister can guess, when he looks at his parish. But, my beloved brother, my heart is often with you. You are among the few friends on earth whom I love without any ifs or buts. I am rejoiced to hear by Mr. Sanford, who called upon me this morning, that appearances are more favorable among you. I rejoice for your sake, as well as for more general reasons. You went to Newark at the close of a great revival. The thing was done, and could not be continued. I had the privilege of being there in harvest time; and you came in the fall of the year; a winter followed of course; but a spring you will see, and then a harvest. "They