second session in the spring of the following year, at which time Mr. Mather was appointed moderator. It was at this session, that the New England Confession of Faith was adopted. This is the same as the Savoy Confession; and substantially the same, as to the doctrinal parts of it, with the more celebrated Westminster Confession. The reason why our fathers preferred to adopt a confession already in existence, rather than prepare one for themselves, was, as they inform us, that by agreeing to the very "words. of their brethren in England, they might, with one mouth as well as heart, glorify God and our Lord Jesus Christ."

At a general court held in Boston, May 19, 1680, the result of the second session of synod, then just closed, was presented for acceptance, whereupon the following order was passed: "This court, having taken into consideration the request that hath been presented by several of the reverend elders, in the name of the late synod, do approve thereof; and accordingly order, that the Confession of faith agreed upon, together with the Platform of discipline consented unto by the synod at Cambridge in 1648, be printed, for the benefit of the churches in present and after times."

Mr. Mather was ill when the second session

of the synod commenced, of which he was appointed moderator; but so intent was he on the business to be done, that for the time he forgot his sickness; and so closely did he keep his brethren to their work, that in two days they despatched it, and were ready to return to their homes.

On this, Mr. Mather immediately took his bed, under a dangerous fever, which left him. with a cough, and with symptoms of consumption. He was sick a long time, was brought very low, and his life at times despaired of. When inquired of whether he expected soon to die, he answered: "I am not careful about that matter. I have the consciousness that I have endeavored to walk before God with a perfect heart, and to do that which is well pleasing in his sight. Nevertheless, I do not think I shall die of this sickness. I have not yet suffered for my Lord Jesus Christ so much as I have desired. Much prayer was offered up by his church and by other Christian friends, on his behalf; and upon his recovery, his people did him the honor to observe a day of public thanksgiving, for so great a favor.

In the year 1681, the Rev. Urian Oakes, President of Harvard College, died, and Mr. Mather was appointed his successor. At the

commencement following, he took the chair and conferred the degrees; but as his church were unwilling to grant him a dismission, the office was at length declined.

In the year 1684, Mr. Mather had another severe fit of sickness, during which (as before,) much prayer was offered up to God for him, and he was favored with a calm serenity of mind, rejoicing in hope of the glory to be revealed. His first sermon after his recovery was from Is. 38: 18, 19. "The grave cannot praise thee. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day." The leading sentiment of the discourse was this: "The servants of God, whilst living in the world, have many opportunities and advantages to glorify him, which the saints in heaven have not." Among other particulars, this was noticed; "they have the opportunity to suffer for him."

It was during this year, that Mr. Mather had the satisfaction of receiving his son, Cotton Mather, as his colleague in the work of the ministry. The son was ordained May 13, 1684, when his father preached. Messrs. Allen and Willard, in connection with his father, imposed hands, and the venerable Eliot expressed the fellowship of the churches. The connection thus formed between father and son was contin

ued, with the utmost harmony, (except that the father was occasionally absent,) for almost forty years.

After the death of President Rogers, in 1685, Mr. Mather was again requested "to act as President of the college, until a further settlement be made;" with the understanding that he was to reside and preach in Boston, and spend a portion of his time at Cambridge during the week. In this way, his official connection with the college commenced; and it continued without any material alteration (except that he afterwards became, not merely the acting, but the actual President) for a period of about sixteen years.

Up to this time, the classes at Cambridge had usually consisted of from two, three, or four students up to eight or ten. But during the presidency of Mr. Mather, the number increased, so that the classes often consisted of more than twenty. In the year 1682, a new college edifice was erected, denominated Harvard Hall, which stood till it was destroyed by fire, in 1764. The sixteen years of Mr. Mather's presidency was a deeply interesting period, not only to the college, but also to the colonies, to both of which he sustained the most important relations. A review of it will be undertaken in the following chap

ters.

CHAPTER VI.

The charter of Massachusetts demanded. Mr. Mather dissuades from surrendering it. Rage of his enemies. The charter taken away. Death of Charles II., and accession of James. Provisional government established. Administration of Sir Edmund Andros. Mr. Mather sent to England on an agency for the colony.

WE have heard already of the Reforming Synod of 1679,-of its occasion, and results. It was hoped that a reformation and return to God so general and entire would be effected, that the tokens of his displeasure against the people of New England might be removed. But it was soon manifest that his holy hand was stretched out still, and that trials and perils more formidable than any that our fathers had yet encountered were before them.

From the accession of Charles II. to this time, a period of some ten or twelve years, there had never been a good understanding between him. and the New England colonies, more especially that of Massachusetts. From time to time, he had been pressing claims upon the colonists, which they had endeavored to evade, and had