Eclectic Review: a Work which we are happy to find Some persons complain that our OBITUARIES want Variety, and occupy too large a portion of the Work: but we find this Part of the Magazine peculiarly acceptable to a great number of our most serious Readers; and, notwithstanding the extent of this Department, we are under the necessity of omitting many Accounts which are sent us, and of abridging others:a Liberty we must continue to take, especially when the Writers are prolix. Our INTELLIGENCE, Foreign and Domestic, continues to accumulate; and we often wish that circumstances would admit a sufficient Enlargement of our Work, to record more fully those events in which the Religious World is most deeply interested: but we select and condense to the best of our power; and trust we may say, without boasting, That no other Publication contains so important a Register of Facts relating to the Kingdom of our GOD and SAVIOUR. On this account, we intreat our POETICAL Correspondents to pardon our delay of so many of their Favours; but we hope to find room for a larger proportion of them in future. On the whole, we have abundant reason to be thankful; and we cannot but rejoice when we reflect, that in a period in which the Liberty of the Press is so grossly abused by many of those ephemeral works, which are made the vehicles of dangerous errors, the instruments of literary abuse, or the panders of vice, there is no Publication, not avowedly religious, which obtains a Circulation equal to that of the Evangelical Magazine. We cannot conclude without adding, That it is our firm resolution, by Divine Assistance, to exert our best endeavours to retain the Approbation of the Public.. EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. JANUARY, 1808. MEMOIR + OF . THE REV. DAVID TAPPAN, D. D. PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY, IN CAMBRIDGE, NEW ENGLAND, THE Creator, in whose hand it is to make great, designed Doctor Tappan for a very important station, and imparted to him correspondent advantages. The talents which he inherited from nature, together with his moral and literary improvements, qualified him for extensive usefulness. He early discovered marks of a very docile active mind. His father, the Rev. B. Tappan, of Manchester, had the principal care of his first years; and taught him the elements of knowledge. At the age of 14 he was admitted into Harvard College. There, rising above juvenile follies and vices, he diligently sought useful knowledge. He was considerate and sober-minded. Extending his views into future life, he preferred those attainments which are solid and durable, before those which are showy or splendid. He was distinguished for ardent love of knowledge and diligence in study, -for his blameless and serious conduct, for proficiency in learning, and dutiful regard to the laws and guides of the institution. Within less than three years after he was graduated, he commenced the work of the ministry. His first performances in the pulpit displayed a large fund of theological information, procured him a high place in the public esteem, and fully indicated the eminence which he afterward attained. His hearers were surprized with the extent and pertinence of his thoughts, with his accurate and copious style, with the animation and solemnity of his utterance, and with the fervour of his devotfon. A very harmonious church in Newbury soon invited his ministerial labours. At the age of 21, he was ordained the pastor of that flock; and continued with them about 18 years. Doctor Tappan chose the sacred office from principle. It was his deliberate judgment, that the gospel-ministry is, of all professions, the most important to mankind. The design of that work, involving the best interests of the universe, perfectly acB. XVI. |