CHAPTER XXXVI.

JOHN ROGERS.

HIS REPUTATION ABROAD.-HIS PATRIOTISM-INTRODUCTION TO WASHINGTON.➡ CHAPLAIN IN HEATH'S BRIGADE-RESIGNS AND GOES TO GEORGIA.-ON HIS RETURN MADE CHAPLAIN TO THE NEW YORK PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY.-BECOMES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE-CHANCELLOR OF THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVER

SITY.

As I remarked in a previous chapter the career of some of the chaplains, like that of many of the officers, was marked by striking events, while the history of others has perished with them, and their immediate descendants. There are others, also, whose patriotic, efforts and sacrifices are known only as general facts, but not sufficient details have been preserved to make an extended biography.

Of this class was John Rogers, of Boston, who was so honored even in Europe for his talents and learning, that in 1768 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Edinburgh. From the commencement of the revolution his whole heart was given to the cause of the colonies, and all the aid which his great abilities and exalted position enabled him to furnish was cheerfully rendered. Before hostilities had actually commenced, he, with several other clergymen, held a weekly prayer meeting in behalf of their country, and strong supplications ascended to the throne of grace that in the conflict which they clearly

foresaw to be inevitable, God would give victory to the oppressed colonies. These meetings were kept up until those composing it were compelled to flee before the approaching enemy. When Washington, on the 19th of April, took possession of New York for its defense, Dr. Rogers, with several other gentlemen, called to pay him their respects. Washington received him with marked attention, and when he took his leave followed him to the door, and remarked that persons in Philadelphia had mentioned him as one who could render him important service, and asked if he would allow him to apply to him for information whenever he desired. The Doctor assured him that he would gladly do anything that lay in his power to serve him and his country. Washington did often consult · him afterwards, and found him an ally not only devoted to his country, but gifted with rare intelligence and foresight.

In May, 1776, having been appointed chaplain in Heath's brigade, he removed his family to Greenfield, Conn., where they could be out of danger, and then returned to the army and entered on the duties of his office. In the autumn, having private business to transact in Georgia, he resigned his chaplaincy. In April, the next year, as he was returning north, he was informed that he had been elected chaplain to the New York State Convention then in session at Esopus, Paying a flying visit to his family in Greenfield he crossed over to New York State and entered on his duties, which he continued to perform till the power of the State was lodged in a council of safety, when

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he served as chaplain in that body. He brought his family on to Esopus, and remained there till it was burned by the British, when he removed to Sharon, Conn. He afterwards became a member of the Legislature, and served for three successive years. At the close of the war he was enabled to return to his congregation in New York city, but he found the parsonage burned to the ground and the sanctuary in ruins. The vestry of Trinity Church, with generous liberality, offered him the use of St. George and St. Paul's Churches till another place of worship could be erected, and he preached alternately in them through the winter. The subject of one of his first discourses after his return to the city was "The Divine Goodness displayed in the American Revolution," which was published. When the Legislature established the board of "Regents of the University" he was chosen ViceChancellor, and held that office till his death, in May, 1811, in the eighty-fourth year of his age,

CHAPTER XXXVII.

GEORGE DUFFIELD.

DESCENDED FROM THE HUGUENOTS.-STUDIES FOR THE MINISTRY.-IS SETTLED IN CARLISLE. HIS PARISHIONERS GO ARMED TO CHURCH.-HIS PATRIOTISM.SETTLES IN PIIIladelphia.-KING'S MAGISTRATE ATTEMPTS TO STOP HIS PREACHING. IS BROUGHT up before THE MAYOR ON CHARGE OF RIOT. EXCITEMENT OF

THE PEOPLE.-HIS POPULARITY WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.-STIRRING ADDRESS. BECOMES CHAPLAIN IN THE ARMY.-PREACHES TO THE SOLDIERS FROM THE FORKS OF A TREE.-BURIES A BROTHER CHAPLAIN WHO HAS BEEN MURDERED.-NARROW ESCAPE.-EXAMPLE OF HIS FAITH.-HIS DEATH.

THE descendants of the French Huguenots that were living in America at the time of the revolution were almost without exception staunch patriots. Among these none took a firmer and nobler stand than George Duffield, of Pennsylvania. His ancestors fled from France to England to escape religious persecution, and thence to Ireland, from which country his immediate parents emigrated to America and settled in Pequea, Pennsylvania. He was born October 7th, 1732, and received his education at Princeton College. Graduating in 1752 he studied theology in his native town under Dr. Robert Smith, and was licensed to preach in 1756. He married the daughter of General Armstrong, and in 1761 was ordained and settled over the congregation at Carlisle.

At this time the Indians were numerous in the vicinity of the Church, and often assumed such a hostile attitude that the male members attended the Sabbath services fully armed. Sometimes it was nec

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essary to go in pursuit of them to chastise them for acts of violence, and Mr. Duffield always accompanied the expeditions, sharing with his parishioners their privations and dangers.

At Monahan, one of the associate churches over which he presided, they were compelled from the exposed position of their place of worship to surround it with fortifications, and men were stationed on the ramparts during service to give notice of the approach of the savages.

In such a stern school was this ardent apostle of liberty reared. The readiness with which he shared the perils of the frontier with the inhabitants, and the dauntless courage he exhibited on all occasions of danger, made him known far and wide, and bound him to the hardy yeomanry of the country in the warmest attachment.

In the dispute that arose between the colonies and mother country, he took sides at once and fearlessly, with the former. And when an open conflict and a long and wasting war were seen to be inevitable, he preached rebellion as a duty, and declared that he had no doubt that God would carry them triumphantly through the struggle. Before his patriotic addresses and stirring eloquence, despondency gave way to hope, and the spirit of determined resistance was kindled in hearts that before thought only of submission.

At this time, he was sent in company with Rev. Charles Beatty on a missionary tour to the scattered settlements along the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Returning from his arduous jour