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commending a precious salvation to all around him, as well in the social circle as in the house of God.

The Church in which the Doctor now regularly preached, was in the village of Lithgow, where he lived, and near the Manor-house, but his attentions were not confined to the congregation that assembled in that place. Other congregations within a convenient distance, — and there were several, composed chiefly of German families, in want of the ministrations of the Gospel, — enjoyed a portion of his labours as often as circumstances would permit. During his stay with this people, which lasted about eighteen months, he preached two sermons every Sabbath, one in English and the other in Dutch, — and he had reason to hope that his strength had not been spent for nought.

The following two years were passed at Poughkeepsie. The Church in this town, which now was without a settled minister, desired his services; and he being rather inconveniently situated in some respects, at the Manor, consented to take the pastoral oversight of it; — and, accordingly, removed for the purpose in 1781, to his father's mansion, where he remained until the close of the war. — Of the profitableness of the Doctor's ministry, during this period, no

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materials are in hand to authorize a representation: there can be little doubt, however; — nay, the simple fact that some solicitude was expressed to have his labours, warrants the assertion, that in point of popularity, he stood high with the people, furnishing a case — a case, indeed, which rarely occurs in which the proverb was not verified that, a prophet is not without honour, save in his own country and in his own house [Matt. 13. 57. 33]."

The present cheering prospects of America led him to reflect with much attention upon the changes that would be necessary in ecclesiastical policy, under a new form of political government, to place the Church in the most advantageous circumstances, or to give the denomination that relative standing and influence among other denominations, to which it was the ardent wish of his heart it might speedily attain. The following extract of a letter to the Rev. Dr. Westerlo, dated 22d October, 1783, will show the interest and mature deliberation with which he revolved the important subject, and also the origin of a plan which was ultimately adopted, but not till towards the close of his life.

"The revolution in our political interests has