him grace to be faithful to his flock, and successful in promoting their spiritual interests. In this he was not disappointed.

As a preacher his reputation was daily increasing; the more his people listened to him, the more were they impressed with his overpowering eloquence; they saw sound sense, deep learning, and fervent piety, presented in the most attractive form, in language copious, elegant, and striking. To prepare sermons that excited such universal interest and delight, not only in his own congregation, but wherever they were heard, it is almost unnecessary to add, required from him close and diligent study. Though not neglectful of general literature, he now devoted his attention principally to theology, and subjects connected with the pastoral office,-the history of the church at different periods, controversial divinity, biblical criticism, and the study of the original languages of the Scriptures. The works on theology which he, at this time, extensively read, and deeply studied, were those of the Puritan divines, and many of the Church of England, the treatises of Charnock, Baxter, and Howe, and the invaluable sermons of Tillotson, Barrow, and Bishop Hall.* These works, so incomparably excellent for their solid sense, extensive acquaintance with the Scriptures and a spirit of devotion, he studied closely by day and by night, and derived from them most ample stores of wisdom. The time when he resided as a minister at Elizabeth-Town, may be considered as the period of his excessive

* These authors are particularly mentioned, because they were the peculiar favourites of Dr. Kollock, not only at this time, but through life. There were no writings that he quoted more frequently in his sermons than those (to use his own expression) of "good Bishop Hall," and "the excellent Richard Baxter."

devotion to study; when with unwearied diligence he applied himself to the improvement of his mind. Devoting but a few hours to sleep, preserving the most rigid abstinence, and assiduously cultivating all his intellectual faculties, he, indeed, made the most rapid progress. By this means he laid a broad foundation for future reputation and usefulness, and collected those sacred and invaluable treasures, out of which he brought things "new and old," and presented for the edification of his people.

His labours, while he was pastor of this church, performed with unceasing constancy and diligence, were eminently blessed. He was the instrument, not only of instructing, consoling, and confirming the disciples of the Saviour, but also of convincing many thoughtless souls, and introducing them into the church of Christ. A special attention to serious things was visible in the congregation during the winter of 1802, though it was far less extensive than what has since occurred in that highly favoured church.

It need scarcely be remarked, that at such a time as this the pastor was unusually engaged. He panted eagerly for the salvation of souls; the news of every convinced sinner increased his zeal, and made him more solicitous for the conversion of others. In the pulpit and in his closet, in his pastoral visits and in the associations for prayer, he seemed to lose sight of every consideration but the glory of God and the spiritual benefit of his people. Numbers, at this time, were added to the church, of whom many are still living, ornaments of their Christian profession; while the spirits of some have ascended to the realms of bliss, and are uniting with their spiritual father in the perfect enjoyment of their God and Saviour.

But the time was approaching when this tender relation, be tween a beloved pastor and an affectionate people, was to be dissolved. In December, 1803, Mr. Kollock received a warm solicitation from the Dutch Presbyterian church of Albany, to undertake the pastoral charge of that congregation. He maturely considered this invitation, and, after serious deliberation, declined its acceptance, believing that he should be more useful in the situation which he then occupied. In the same month he was appointed Professor of Divinity in the college of NewJersey. His people heard of this appointment with deep regret; they were warmly attached to their pastor, and they could not bear the idea of parting with him: they knew, too, the importance of the station to which he was called, and they feared that he would be advised to leave them. The issue proved that their fears were not unfounded. At the next meeting of the Presbytery, he, in accordance with the views of its members, declared his acceptance of the appointment, and the pastoral relation between him and the congregation was accordingly dissolved.

Those only who have experienced it, know how sad and painful it is for a pastor to leave an affectionate flock, to which he is fondly attached, and by which he is equally beloved. To leave a people, among whom he has for years laboured with pleasure and encouragement, and to whom he is bound by a thousand tender ties, and endeared by a thousand tender recollections; to stand for the last time as their stated pastor, and give the parting farewell to those who have often listened to his instructions with delight; to bid adieu to those solemn meet ings in which they have mingled their prayers and tears before the Lord, in which they have rejoiced and sat down together at the table of the Saviour-is a trial to which nothing can reconcile us but a strong and imperious sense of duty. It was this conviction of duty which led Mr. Kollock to sacrifice his

personal feelings, excited by many tender scenes and dear remembrances, for the glory of God and the general interest of the church. Leaving the congregation of Elizabeth-Town, he removed to Princeton in January, 1803.

When we consider the nature of the appointment which he at this time received, and the age when it was conferred upon him, we can have some idea of the estimation in which he was held as a scholar and divine. He was, by one of the most important and respectable colleges in our country, called to fill the theological chair, when he was but twenty-five years of age; chosen at that early period to succeed a Dickinson, a Burr, an Edwards, a Witherspoon. At the time when he was elected to this office, he was solicited by the congregation of Princeton to become their minister, and when connected with the college, undertook the pastoral charge of that church.

His situation was now more important than any in which he had been placed, his sphere of usefulness more extensive, and his labours more constant and arduous. Duties, which are ordinarily considered as sufficient to engross the time, the attention, and the talents of many, devolved on him alone. The morning of every Sabbath witnessed his stated labours in the pulpit; in the afternoon he regularly gave the children religious instruction, and publicly expounded a portion of the shorter catechism; and, as pastor of the congregation, performed all its parochial duties.

As professor of theology, he instructed his pupils in all the branches connected with this science. He lectured twice a week on didactic and polemic divinity, and once a week on ecclesiastical history, church government, and Jewish antiqui

ties. Besides these lectures, he occasionally instructed his students in the Hebrew language.

Under such a weight of duties, an ordinary man, in the youthful period of life, would have sunk in despondency. Not so with Dr. Kollock. He knew that his labours were multiplied and arduous; yet, by close attention to study, economical management of time, and invincible perseverance, he was enabled to discharge them with extensive reputation and usefulness. The inhabitants of Princeton, and those who were then members of the college, still remember with what alacrity they repaired to the place of worship, and how often they returned with their hearts deeply affected by his impressive discourses. They can testify how successful were his efforts in expelling infidelity from the institution, and how often he was the instrument of bringing many to a knowledge of the Saviour.

As a professor of theology, he was highly esteemed and extensively useful. Fond of instructing, possessing talents which peculiarly fitted him for it, and engaging in it with his whole heart and soul, he could not but be successful in this interesting employment. By his public lectures, and his private counsel, he strove to qualify his students for the holy of fice for which they were destined. His labours were not ineffectual; his hopes not disappointed. Many of those who were then his pupils have become distinguished divines in the Pres byterian church. They still remember his instructions with exalted pleasure, and cherish for his memory the highest veneration.

It was about this time that the strongest intimacy was formed between the subject of these memoirs and that venerable man, the late Rev. Dr. Smith. A friendship had existed pre